BOLOGNA: CITY OF WOMEN

During the 17^th century, Bologna stood apart from other major Italian cities by the place it gave to women, defying the conventions of the time. The city counted three times as many professional women artists as Rome or Venice, and twice as many as Florence. And not all came from elite families. Why was such progress possible here, and not elsewhere?

At that time, a young Bolognese painter broke into a field long dominated by men: history painting – considered the most prestigious genre of all. Through her technical brilliance and a network of intellectuals and patrons, Elisabetta Sirani attracted official commission from across Europe. A true pioneer who died prematurely at just 27, her work – long overlooked – is now being rediscovered and celebrated as a symbol in the struggle against patriarchy.

By combining animation, expert voices, and rare archival material, this documentary reveals how the encounter between a unique cultural setting and an extraordinary individual challenged the social order and opened the way to women’s emancipation.