Plautilla Nelli

Plautilla Nelli (1524–1588) was the first known female painter of Florence and an important figure of the Italian Renaissance. A self-taught nun of the Dominican convent of Santa Caterina da Siena, Nelli created large-scale religious works at a time when women artists were rarely recognized. Her art is admired for its expressive emotion, spiritual depth, and monumental scale.

Her most famous masterpiece is the Last Supper (Museum of San Salvi, Florence) — the first known depiction of the subject by a woman. She also painted numerous devotional works, including altarpieces of the Madonna and saints, which were displayed in churches across Florence. Thanks to recent restorations and renewed scholarly attention, Plautilla Nelli is now celebrated as a pioneering woman of the Renaissance.

At Blue Surf Art, we recreate Nelli’s masterpieces with museum-quality, hand-painted oil on canvas reproductions. Each reproduction is carefully crafted to preserve the dignity, devotion, and Renaissance elegance of her originals. Perfect for collectors, admirers of women artists, or those seeking meaningful sacred art, our reproductions bring the legacy of Plautilla Nelli into your home, with worldwide shipping available.