The story of the first known female painter of Florence and how she led a convent art studio in Renaissance Italy
1. Introduction: Why Don’t We Hear More About Plautilla Nelli?
In the heart of Renaissance Florence, where art flourished under the genius of men like Michelangelo and Botticelli, Plautilla Nelli quietly revolutionized sacred painting behind the cloistered walls of a convent. As the first known female painter of Florence, her work remained hidden mainly for centuries, neglected by historians and absent from major museums.
Why? Because she was a nun. And a woman. Living in a time when female voices were often marginalized and silenced, Plautilla Nelli’s contributions to art and spirituality remained largely unrecognized for centuries. Despite her remarkable talent and the impressive body of work she left behind, comprising beautiful paintings and profound reflections on faith.
Her story was obscured, overshadowed by the male artists who dominated the Renaissance period. Art historians have only recently begun to unearth her legacy, revealing the depth of her creativity and the significance of her perspective as a woman in a cloistered life. It’s time to bring Plautilla Nelli into the light, to acknowledge her influence, and to celebrate her as a pioneer who broke barriers and enriched the world of art with her unique vision.
2. Early Life and Education
Pulisena Margherita Nelli was born in Florence in 1524, into a wealthy merchant family. At the age of 14, she entered the Dominican convent of Santa Caterina da Siena, taking the name Sister Plautilla.
With no formal training, she taught herself to paint by copying religious works, especially the drawings of Fra Bartolommeo, a Dominican friar whose unfinished sketches were preserved in the convent. Nelli’s artistic education unfolded entirely within the religious sphere, with support from her sisters in faith.
While many women in convents embroidered or illustrated manuscripts, Nelli took her ambitions further, creating large-scale altar pieces and devotional images. Her convent eventually became an artistic hub, with Plautilla leading what is considered the first all-female art workshop in Florence.
3. Style and Artistic Contributions
Nelli’s art is deeply spiritual and feminine in expression. Her portraits of saints and suffering Christs are marked by emotional intensity, elongated figures, and expressive hands a trait possibly inspired by Fra Bartolommeo’s influence.
Her religious figures often have tearful eyes, soft faces, and a solemn grace. Her paintings reflect both her internal world as a cloistered nun and her theological devotion.
Key Characteristics:
- Large altarpieces painted within convent walls
- Feminine rendering of religious emotion
- Use of bold colors and dramatic compositions
- Emphasis on female saints and biblical women
Notable Works:
- “Lamentation with Saints” (c. 1550s) – Museo di San Salvi, Florence Public Domain Image
- “Last Supper” (c. 1560s) – Museo di Santa Maria Novella, Florence (largest known painting by an early female artist)
- “Saint Catherine Receiving the Stigmata” – Museum of San Salvi
- “Portrait of Saint Dominic” – Uffizi Gallery
Her “Last Supper” is particularly notable—not only because of its massive size (over 21 feet long), but also because it is the first known Last Supper painted by a woman.
4. Struggles and Social Context
Plautilla Nelli encountered numerous constraints throughout her artistic career, primarily due to the societal norms of her time. Unlike her male counterparts, she did not have opportunities to practice life drawing or work with male models, as such experiences were typically reserved for men in the artistic academies of the era. The strictures of convent life further confined her creative expression, as her artistic endeavors had to remain within the bounds of her religious community, limiting her exposure and the circulation of her work to a small network of religious patrons.
Despite these considerable barriers, Nelli managed to attract the support of several Florentine nobles who were aligned with religious orders and valued her artistic contributions. Her paintings and altarpieces found their way into chapels, convents, and private devotional spaces, where they were hailed as expressions of faith and spirituality.
Tragically, after her passing in 1588, Nelli’s legacy began to diminish. Her name faded from the annals of art history, and her paintings were frequently misattributed to other, more well-known artists of the time. As a result, many of her masterpieces fell into neglect, left to deteriorate in the shadows of concealed corridors, far from the appreciation they rightfully deserved.
5. Legacy and Rediscovery
Nelli remained virtually forgotten until the 20th century, when she was rediscovered by scholar Jane Fortune, founder of the non-profit group Advancing Women Artists (AWA). Fortune dubbed Nelli “the first woman painter of Florence” and spearheaded efforts to restore and exhibit her works.
Her restored “Last Supper” was unveiled in 2019 at the Museum of Santa Maria Novella, and is now a symbol of both artistic mastery and gender equality in the arts.
Nelli’s works are now displayed in:
- Uffizi Gallery, Florence
- Museo di San Salvi
- Santa Maria Novella, Florence
6. Why She Matters Today
Plautilla Nelli’s story is a testament to how women, even under the most restrictive conditions, created and led. She built a studio, nurtured other artists, and left behind a legacy of visual devotion and spiritual power.
Her life invites us to reconsider the narrative of Renaissance art—reminding us that women were not just muses or models, but creators, innovators, and visionaries.
In today’s world, where gender equity remains a cultural touchstone, Nelli’s resurrection reminds us that many voices have yet to be fully heard.
7. Final Thoughts
Plautilla Nelli was more than a nun with a paintbrush; she was a leader, teacher, and a visionary who found beauty and purpose within the walls of her convent. Her restored works radiate both artistic and spiritual depth.
Explore More:
Call to Action: Share Plautilla’s story. Visit Florence’s sacred art. Subscribe to the N1 Gallery blog to discover more hidden female masters.
Coming Next: Explore the life of Dismiste and Forgotten Lucrina Fetti: The Baroque Nun
