17th-century Bologna stood apart from other Italian cities by the place it allowed women in society, defying the conventions of the time. The city boasted three times as many professional women artists as either Rome or Venice, and twice as many as Florence. What’s more, not all of them came from elite families. What made this sort of progress possible here, and not elsewhere?
At the time, one young Bolognese woman painter broke into a field long dominated by men: history painting – considered the most prestigious genre of all. Through technical skill, and a network of intellectuals and patrons, Elisabetta Sirani drew commissions from across Europe. A true pioneer who died prematurely at the young age of 27, her work – long overlooked – is now being brought back into the public eye.
Blending animation, rare archival material, and interviews with experts, this documentary reveals how a unique cultural setting and an extraordinary individual converged to challenge the social order and pave the way for women’s emancipation.
Direction: Christiane Ratiney & Yvan Gaillard
Production: Les Batelières Productions for ARTE
Delivery: Summer 2026