Women, Art, and Spirituality
The Poor Clares of Early Modern Italy

A study of the art made for the Franciscan nuns between the thirteenth and sixteenth centuries.

Jeryldene M. Wood (Author)

9780521496025, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 13 October 1996

290 pages
25.4 x 17.8 x 1.7 cm, 0.72 kg

Review of the hardback: 'An excellent introduction to the religious vision of the Poor Clares, with a thorough and up to date bibliography.' Glasgow Women's Library

Originally published in 1996, Women, Art, and Spirituality: The Poor Clares of Early Modern Italy situates the art made between the thirteenth and sixteenth centuries for the Franciscan nuns in its historical and religious contexts. Evaluating its production from sociological and intellectual perspectives, this study also addresses the discourse between spirituality, devotional practices, and aesthetic attitudes as formalised in the construction and decoration of the women's convents and in their didactic literature. Based on a range of sources, it integrates important primary texts, such as Saint Clare's rule, poetry composed by the nuns, financial records, and family history in the analysis of paintings, sculpture, and architecture commissioned by the order. The text also synthesises theories from anthropology, women's studies, history, and literature with traditional iconographical and social approaches from art history.

1. Clara, Claris, Praeclara
2. Within the walls
3. Piccarda's convent
4. A network of nuns
5. Vision and ecstasy
Epilogue.

Subject Areas: History of art & design styles: c 1400 to c 1600 [ACN]