Italy: Plautilla Bricci
Born in 1616 in Rome, Italy, Plautilla Bricci is considered the first known woman architect in Italy and one of the first women architects in Europe. She studied art as an apprentice in her father’s workshop, learning foundational drawing skills. Although only men were permitted to become professional architects, she partnered with Abbot Elpidio Benedetti, a patron who supported her art and “architettrice” career. Bricci’s brother, Basilio Bricci, received the recognition for presumably her work. Plautilla Bricci posthumously received recognition for her contribution to the Villa Benedetta (also known as Villa il Vascello), located near the Porta San Pancrazio in Rome, Italy (c. 1663–1668); the building was damaged (1849). Bricci was also posthumously recognized for her work on the Chapel of San Luigi in Rome (c. 1670–1680). Her work was featured in the Galleria Corsini exhibition “Una Rivoluzione Silenzio. Plautilla Bricci Pittrice e Architettrice” curated by Yuri Primarosa — the first exhibition solely dedicated to Bricci and her work (2021–2022). Plautilla Bricci died in 1705 in Rome.
References
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Carboni, Giommaria. “Recensione alla mostra: Una rivoluzione silenziosa. Plautilla Bricci pittrice e architettrice (Roma, Galleria Corsini, 5 novembre 2021 – 19 aprile 2022), a cura di Yuri Primarosa.” ABside: Rivista di Storia dell’Arte 4 (January 27, 2022): 7–10. https://doi.org/10.13125/abside/5063.
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Primarosa, Yuri, Plautilla Bricci, and Galleria Corsini. Una rivoluzione silenziosa : Plautilla Bricci pittrice e architettrice. Yuri Primarosa, ed. Roma: Officina libraria, 2021.
“A Silent Revolution. Plautilla Bricci Painter and Architect.” Barberini Corsini National Galleries. Accessed April 25, 2025. https://www.oxfordartonline.com/benezit/display/10.1093/benz/9780199773787.001.0001/acref-9780199773787-e-00026459?rskey=D70Fej&result=1
Verdier, Thierry. “La villa Benedetta et la difficile carrière de Plautilla Bricci, femme architecte dans la Rome du XVIIe siècle.” Livraisons de l’histoire de l’architecture, 35 (June 15, 2018): 41–56. https://doi.org/10.4000/lha.924.
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“Women Pioneering Architecture: The First Italian Architects Plautilla Bricci and Elena Luzzatto.” AIA Philadelphia. November 2, 2022. https://aiaphiladelphia.org/news/advancing-architecture-and-design/267/267-Women-Pioneering-Architecture-The-first-Italian-Architects-Plautilla-Bricci-and-Elena-Luzzatto.
