Why was it so unusual that Sofonisba grew up to be a painter?

Question

a) Women in general, and especially those of Sofonisba’s class, rarely trained as artists or took up painting as a profession.
b) It was not unusual for Sofonisba to paint, since many families hired artists to teach their daughters to draw and paint, but it was unusual for her to do so outside her home.
Consider This: What sort of education would the daughter of a count need? See 2.6: Narrative: Wondrous Sofonisba.
c) Sofonisba was unusual, but only because her father was not a painter. It was usually the daughters of painters who learned the trade.
Consider This: What sort of education would the daughter of a count need? See 2.6: Narrative: Wondrous Sofonisba.
d) Sofonisba was destined for the convent, so it was unusual that she even learned to paint.
Consider This: What sort of education would the daughter of a count need? See 2.6: Narrative: Wondrous Sofonisba.

Answer 1

a) Women in general, and especially those of Sofonisba’s class, rarely trained as artists or took up painting as a profession.