Portret van Elena Lucrezia Cornaro Piscopia 1668 - 1702

Pieter van Schuppen’s engraving captures Elena Lucrezia Cornaro Piscopia, a woman who lived in 17th century Venice. It gives us a glimpse into the life of a woman who defied the conventions of her time. Cornaro Piscopia was not just any woman; she was a scholar in a world dominated by men. The print immortalizes her at the age of 32, the same year she became the first woman to receive a doctorate. The text around her portrait celebrates her virtues and beauty in Latin and Greek. The artwork prompts us to consider the intersections of gender, class, and education in the 17th century. Cornaro Piscopia came from a noble family, which afforded her the privilege of education, yet she still faced considerable resistance to her intellectual pursuits. Her story remains powerful because it speaks to the ongoing struggles for gender equality in academia and beyond. It invites us to reflect on the obstacles women have overcome and the importance of continuing to challenge traditional narratives.