French Museum Uncovers in Storage Picture by Renaissance Woman Master

This photograph taken on March 21, 2025, shows a recently discovered painting by Italian artist Lavinia Fontana, entitled “Portrait of a Gentleman, his Daughter and a Maid” (C) on display at the Museum de la Chartreuse in Douai, northern France. (AFP)
This photograph taken on March 21, 2025, shows a recently discovered painting by Italian artist Lavinia Fontana, entitled “Portrait of a Gentleman, his Daughter and a Maid” (C) on display at the Museum de la Chartreuse in Douai, northern France. (AFP)
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French Museum Uncovers in Storage Picture by Renaissance Woman Master

This photograph taken on March 21, 2025, shows a recently discovered painting by Italian artist Lavinia Fontana, entitled “Portrait of a Gentleman, his Daughter and a Maid” (C) on display at the Museum de la Chartreuse in Douai, northern France. (AFP)
This photograph taken on March 21, 2025, shows a recently discovered painting by Italian artist Lavinia Fontana, entitled “Portrait of a Gentleman, his Daughter and a Maid” (C) on display at the Museum de la Chartreuse in Douai, northern France. (AFP)

A provincial museum in northern France on Friday showed off a picture now attributed to one of the greatest women painters of the Italian Renaissance, Lavinia Fontana, but which had for decades languished in its storage.

The picture -- "Portrait of a Gentleman, his Daughter and a Servant" -- will now be a center piece of the collection of the Museum de la Chartreuse in Douai in northern France.

Lavinia Fontana, who lived from 1552-1614, is seen as one of the very first women to make a career out of painting in Western art, and an outstanding representative of the Italian Renaissance style in her own right.

The picture shows three figures from a well-to-do family, shown dressed in the fashion of the time which is painted in intricate detail.

It shows a father, dressed in black and wearing a voluminous pleated collar, sitting in an armchair, while his daughter, wearing a similar collar, hands him some flowers.

In the background, a maid places a basket of fruit beside them.

In 2024, the museum launched a program to study and restore its collection of Italian paintings, with the support of a committee of experts.

Among them was Philippe Costamagna, a specialist in Florentine and Roman art, who spotted the painting in a storage room.

"People told me 'it's a northern painting,' and I said 'no, it's an Italian painting, Bolognese in spirit from A to Z. Everything is reminiscent of it: the little girl with the little flowers, the strokes on the collar and on the sleeve," he told AFP.

Previously attributed to the Flemish Renaissance painter Pieter Pourbus (1523–1584), the work has finally been reattributed to Lavinia Fontana.

"The painting is in excellent condition; it hasn't been badly restored in the past, so it hasn't been distorted. The restoration will enhance it," said Costamagna.

The almost square canvas was bequeathed to the Douai museum in 1857. Restoration is required before it can be included in the permanent collection, the museum said.

Lavinia Fontana, who was born in Bologna but died in Rome, grew up in a scholarly environment and was taught to paint by her father Prospero Fontana.

As a trailblazing woman painter, she was a precursor to the great Baroque artist Artemisia Gentileschi who was born in 1593 and whose bold work is currently the subject of a landmark retrospective in Paris that opened this week.



Saudi Museums Commission Hosts Talk on Conservation and Display of Artifacts, Art Collections

The Saudi Museums Commission logo
The Saudi Museums Commission logo
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Saudi Museums Commission Hosts Talk on Conservation and Display of Artifacts, Art Collections

The Saudi Museums Commission logo
The Saudi Museums Commission logo

The Saudi Museums Commission has recently hosted an engaging open talk on “Conservation, Preservation, and Display of Artifacts and Art Collections,” as part of the commission’s monthly series of dialogues aimed at exploring innovative strategies and best practices in preserving cultural heritage.

Moderated by Tariq Abdulhakim Museum Acting Director Tayeb AlTayeb, the event featured insights from renowned experts, including Red Sea Museum Director Eman Zidan, former Director of the National Museum of Beirut Anne-Marie Afeiche, and Director of the Restoration and Conservation Center at the Grand Egyptian Museum Dr. Hussein Kamal.

The panel emphasized the critical role of conservation and restoration in protecting cultural heritage. Kamal shared the remarkable work of the Grand Egyptian Museum’s Restoration Center. Afeiche highlighted Lebanon's historical challenges, where innovative methods, such as cement blocks, were used to conserve artifacts in the National Museum.

The importance of public involvement in conservation was a central theme of the event. Zidan remarked that "protecting collections is a shared responsibility—it is about communities, individuals, and future generations." Examples of successful engagement included the children’s choir at the Tariq Abdulhakim Museum, run by the Museums Commission, which celebrated musical heritage and connected young audiences to their cultural roots.
Zidan also mentioned the Museums Commission’s efforts to raise public awareness of the importance of safeguarding cultural heritage, referring to the commission’s campaign “Telling Tomorrow’s Story”, which introduced the public to the Ministry of Culture’s collection and valuable artifacts, and presented the museums as guardians of such cultural heritage.
The role of media in raising awareness about conservation was a key focus. Speakers highlighted the importance of documenting restoration processes and sharing these stories through social media, television, and documentaries. Kamal shared how the Grand Egyptian Museum will use behind-the-scenes videos to showcase restoration efforts, making the process accessible and engaging for the public.
This open talk reflects the Museums Commission’s commitment to safeguarding cultural heritage through advancing conservation and preservation practices across the Kingdom and the region. By embracing innovation and fostering collaboration, the commission ensures that Saudi Arabia’s cultural heritage remains vibrant and accessible for future generations.