Aleksandra Ekster | Avant Garde painter

Aleksandra Aleksandrovna Ekster (1882-1949) cubo-futurist, suprematist, constructivist and designer is one of most famous Russian Avant Garde female painters that gained international recognition.

She was a multi talented artist - a painter, ceramist, graphic artist, clothes designer.

Alexandra Ekster would also become a co-founder of the Art Déco.

In Paris, Aleksandra Ekster was a personal friend of Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque, who introduced her to Gertrude Stein.

Vilhelm Hammershøi | La poesia del silenzio

Vilhelm Hammershøi (1864-1916) è stato un pittore Danese, noto per i suoi ritratti ed interni poetici e sommessi.

Vita

Vilhelm Hammershøi nacque a Copenhagen, in Danimarca. Figlio di un mercante benestante, Christian Hammershøi, comincia a studiare disegno all'età di otto anni con Niels Christian Kierkegaard e Holger Grønvold, oltre a dipingere con Vilhelm Kyhn.

Più grande, segue i corsi di Frederik Vermehren presso la Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts.

Dal 1883-1885 studia con Peder Severin Krøyer debuttando alla "Mostra primaverile di Charlottenborg", nel 1885, con "Ritratto di una giovane ragazza" (che mostra sua sorella Anna).

Vilhelm Hammershøi | Ritratto di una giovane ragazza. La sorella dell'artista, Anna Hammershøi

Frans Stracké | The Two Mothers, 1893 | Rijksmuseum

Franz Stracké created this sculpture in terracotta in 1893. The title "Two Mothers" refers to the woman and the dog, positioned at her feet looking upwards, whose puppies she is carrying. This work by Franz Stracké is exhibited at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.

This sweet scene reflects increasing interest in the lives of fishermen. The statue shows a young woman holding her child, with her dog’s puppies gathered in her apron. Yet life is not a bed of roses for this barefoot fisherman’s wife. She has only two fish in her pouch, and the net that she drags behind her is empty. | Rijksmuseum

Frans Stracké | The Two Mothers, 1893 (detail) | Rijksmuseum

Franz Skarbina | Impressionist painter

Franz Skarbina (1849-1910) was a German impressionist painter, draftsman, etcher and illustrator.

Born in Berlin, he was the son of a goldsmith from Zagreb. From 1865-1869, he studied at the Prussian Academy of Arts.

After graduation, he spent two years as a tutor to the daughters of Count Friedrich von Perponcher-Sedlnitzky (1821-1909), during which time he travelled to Dresden, Vienna, Venice, Munich, Nuremberg and Merano.

In 1877, he had acquired the funds to make a year-long study trip to the Netherlands, Belgium and France, where he came under the influence of impressionism.

Christine de Pizan | The first professional woman writer

Christine de Pizan or Pisan, born Cristina da Pizzano (1364 - c. 1430), was a poet and author at the court of King Charles VI of France and several French dukes.

Venetian by birth, Christine served as a court writer in medieval France after the death of her husband. Christine's patrons included dukes Louis I of Orleans, Philip the Bold of Burgundy, and his son John the Fearless.

Her best known works include The Book of the City of Ladies and The Treasure of the City of Ladies, both written when she worked for John the Fearless of Burgundy. Her books of advice to princesses, princes, and knights remained in print until the 16th century.

Christine de Pizan - Bibliothèque nationale de France, Département des manuscrits, Français