Feminae: Medieval Women and Gender Index


  • Record Number: 38382
  • Author(s)/Creator(s): Troup , Cynthia
  • Contributor(s):
  • Title: 'With Open Doors' in the Tor de' Specchi: The Chiesa Vecchia Frescoes and the Monks of Santa Maria Nova
  • Source: Studies on Florence and the Italian Renaissance in Honour of F. W. Kent.  Edited by Peter Howard and Cecilia Hewlett.  Brepols , 2016.  Pages 405 - 427.
  • Description: During the early years of its existence, the women’s community of Tor de’ Specchi in Rome had a difficult relationship with the Olivetan monks of Santa Maria Nova. The sister resisted the imposition of strict claustration, hoping to have an “open” community with only simple vows and direct control by the Olivetans of Santa Maria Nova. The frescoes for the community’s Chiesa vecchia are attributed to Antoniazzo Romano, although their style varies. These paintings reflect the lesser status of the Oblates in relationship to the monks while recognizing the legitimacy of the women’s community founded by Francesca Bussa dei Ponziani (Frances of Rome).
  • Article Type: Essay
  • Subject (See Also): Antoniazzo Romano, Painter Francesca Bussa dei Ponziani, Saint Lay Piety Monastic Enclosure Oblates of Tor de’ Specchi Olivetan Order of Monks Penitents Women in Religion
  • Award Note:
  • Geographic Area: Italy
  • Century: 15
  • Primary Evidence:
  • Illustrations: Five illustrations. Figure 1 – Altar wall frescoes attributed to Antoniazzo Romano, Tor de’ Specchi. Figure 2 – Obsequies of Francesca. Figure 3 – Oblation at Santa Maria Nova Figure 4 – Oblation and communion in heaven.
  • Table:
  • Abstract:
  • Related Resources:
  • Author's Affiliation:
  • Conference Info: - , -
  • Year of Publication: 2016.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN/ISBN: 9782503552767