Look back to find the new. For what you have not been aware of is new when it comes to your attention no matter the point in time to which it belongs. In art this is equally true so when names spring from obsurity they are for you a new discovery leaving you wondering why they could have been hidden for so long.  Artimisia Gentileschi is one such name, a member of the Academy of art and design in Florence in the 17th century she was noted for producing work that showed the influence of Caravaggio and had an international following of patrons which included Charles 1 though she had to leave England hastily at the beginning of the Civil War.

Another artist from the 17th century who has deservedly come to prominence is Michaelina Wautier whose work fell into obscurity after her death in 1689. Research appears to show that Michaelina had the rare ability of painting directly on to the canvas without the need for a preliminary under drawing or sketch . This method had the virtue of giving  freshness and vitality to her figures and is clearly evident in her monumental work Triumph of Bacchus. The central figure in this painting is Bacchus in a languid pose being fed wth grapes but of equal interest is a classically draped self portrait of Michaelina to the right standing behind  a group of playful children that are so well rendered that for attention they outshine Bacchus.