Works of Art in Real Life: Class visits first work by a Baroque woman artist to enter the Agnes collection

Professor Gauvin Bailey's class, Caravaggio & Artemisia, ARTH 451, recently took advantage of our connection with the Agnes Etherington Art Centre to learn about works related to their course. Using the David McTavish Art Study room, with a guest lecture by Dr. Jacquelyn Coutré, Bader Curator/Researcher of European Art at the Agnes, the students viewed work by Elisabetta Sirani, Adam Elsheimer, and Guido Reni. Sirani's work is the first work by a historical European woman artist to enter the Agnes' collection and Reni was her father's teacher. Sirani was a successful female artist who supported her family with her work. She died mysteriously at the age of 27, with some suggesting poison, an ulcer, or perhaps even a "broken heart" as one biographer put it. Professor Bailey first discovered that the Agnes had acquired the Sirani at a meeting of the acquisitions board in September and immediately thought that it would make an ideal class visit since his course deals with Baroque women artists.

Art history and art conservation students are fortunate to have access to the collection at the Agnes, as viewing works of art in person, rather than on a screen, is a valuable educational experience. Thank you Professor Bailey and Dr. Coutré for this opportunity!

Art history students of ARTH 451 examine a work at the Agnes.

Curator Jacquelyn Coutré, Bader Curator and Researcher of European Art at the Agnes, receives a round of applause for her talk on the artists and their works.

Prof. Gauvin Bailey explains how to properly view and handle the works.

Prof. Gauvin Bailey viewing the works with his class.