Forbidden Fruit: Female Still Life

COLNAGHI London presented an exciting exhibition devoted to female still life, the highlight of
which was a spatially complex painting by the Mannerist artist, Fede Galizia. An important
rediscovery by Colnaghi, the work contributes to the reconstruction of Galizia’s corpus in her
enigmatic final years. Forbidden Fruit: Female Still Life included other rare works by Giovanna
Garzoni, painter to the Medicis and one of the first women to practice the art of still life, as well as
the only known painting by Caterina Angela Pierozzi, protégée of Grand Duchess Vittoria della
Rovere. The exhibition also featured the last painting by the hand of acclaimed Dutch botanical
artist, Rachel Ruysch.

Open at Colnaghi London from 27 April through 24 June 2022, Forbidden Fruit built upon
Colnaghi’s mission to spearhead new trends in art collecting, bringing the finest works in often
overlooked categories to a new audience. This presentation included works from the Renaissance
and Baroque periods by: Giovanna Garzoni, Fede Galizia, Clara Peeters, Caterina Angela Pierozzi,
Elisabetta Marchioni, and Rachel Ruysch, among others. The exhibition also spotlighted the
theme of diplomatic exchanges between nations, through the lens of female masters.
Candida Lodovica de Angelis Corvi, Global Director, said: “Connecting cultures has never
been more important in the art and museum sector than it is today. Our presentation of
masterworks by women from a variety of different nations - Clara Peeters, Fede Galizia, Rachel
Ruysch and Giovanna Garzoni - highlights the overlooked role female artists played in diplomatic
relations throughout history. Giovanna Garzoni, for example, was a globe-trotter of her time who
visited and united different cultures through her work in different countries and cities which were
often at war with one another - Naples, Florence, Rome, Turin - all different 'states'. At a time
when differences between nations can seem to grow each year, exhibitions which develop and
draw our attention to the role art and women played in uniting cultures feels timely, apt and
necessary.”

Colnaghi CEO Jorge Coll added: "Forbidden Fruit offers a unique opportunity for our clients and
visitors to enjoy never-before-seen masterworks by female artists who pioneered the still life
genre, were successful during their lifetimes, and who pushed the art form forwards. Colnaghi’s
programme of exhibitions consistently aims to uphold our historic firm’s commitment to
connoisseurship and building collections, and this presentation aligns with this mission.”