Women, Art and Observant Franciscan Piety

"Women, Art and Observant Franciscan Piety," authored by Kathleen Giles Arthur and published by Amsterdam University Press in 2018, takes readers on an insightful journey into the rich visual culture and social history of the early modern Franciscan women’s community, particularly through the lens of the Poor Clares convent of Corpus Domini. Spanning 252 pages, this hardback edition presents a unique blend of art and religion, diving deep into the interplay between religious life and the artistic expressions of women in monasticism. Arthur’s meticulous archival research and examination of key artworks offer a compelling narrative that highlights the significance of female artisans and their contributions to religious and social customs in Italy and the Netherlands. This scholarly work is an essential read for those interested in the intersection of gender, art, and spirituality in historical contexts.