Her talent and passion for image-making lead her to become the head of an artistic workshop within her convent.
Learn about the accomplished art of Renaissance nun and painter Sister Plautilla Nelli.
He encouraged the nuns to create religious art to express their devotion to God.
Plautilla Nelli, Detail of “The Last Supper,” c. 1560s (Photo:Wikimedia Commons[Public Domain])
AWA managed to raise $67,000 for the conservation of Sister Plautilla’s only surviving painting.
Lead conservator Rossella Lari had to remove layers of overpainting from previous restorations to reach the original artwork.
One of the most notable details is the inscription Sister Plautilla made beneath her signature.
Plautilla Nelli, “Madonna Addolorata,” c. 1500s (Photo:Wikimedia Commons[Public Domain])
It says, Orate pro pictora, or pray for the paintress.
By including it under her name, the nun confirms her identity as a woman artist.
Plautilla Nelli, “Annunciation,” c. 1500s (Photo: Uffizi GalleriesWikimedia Commons[CC BY-SA 4.0])
Plautilla Nelli, “The Last Supper,” c. 1560s (Photo:Wikimedia Commons[Public Domain])
Plautilla Nelli, Detail of “The Last Supper,” c. 1560s (Photo:Wikimedia Commons[Public Domain])
Plautilla Nelli, Detail of “The Last Supper,” c. 1560s (Photo:Wikimedia Commons[Public Domain])
Plautilla Nelli, Detail of “The Last Supper,” c. 1560s (Photo:Wikimedia Commons[Public Domain])
