Post 2

Amanda Leung

Professor Cacoilo

Art and Women

07 March 2017

During the Middle Ages, women were given few opportunities, since they were still being opressed, specifically by religion. Women were still expected to dedicate their lives to their husband and families, confining them to their houses. Chadwick describes how “women’s social roles remained circumscribed by a Christian ethic that stressed obedience and chastity, by the demands of maternal and domestic responsibility [...]” (Chadwick, 44). This quote from Chadwick emphasizes the role the religion played in the lives of women, it controlled them and defined how they were expected to be to their family. Chadwick later goes on to reveal that sexism was still existent during this time period, since women were considered the property of their husbands.

Hildegard Von Bingen, Scivas

However, there were other religions options available to women that allowed them to escape the domestic life, such as becoming a nun. Becoming a nun gave women more independence, and they usually either joined for the sake of religion or because they were sent there by their family. The Guerilla Girls describes how “these nuns had an autonomy unknown to their sisters on the outside. [...] And they educated one another” (The Guerilla Girls, 21-22). Joining a convent wasn’t all that bad because it gave women the freedom that they wouldn’t be able to enjoy outside of it, such as different professions and education. For example, being in a convent allowed Hildegard von Bingen to create a book of art, which she dedicated ten years to, despite the constant doubt she faced from men.

Sofonisba Anguissola, Self Portrait at the Easel

During the Renaissance, the role of women was to still be subservient in the private sphere. However, families started to give women more freedom, such as educating them within the confines of the house. To become an artist was still difficult, but it was a lot easier for those who were wealthy. There was also a university in Bologna that openly allowed women to attend and teach, giving them opportunities to explore careers in art, philosophy and law. During this time period, many artists created work for the church, as well as profile portraits. One notable artist during this time period was Sofonisba Anguissola who was “[...] a noble whose father believed women should be educated. He sent one of her drawings to Michelangelo” (Guerilla Girls, 23). Anguissola’s career was allowed to thrive due to her father’s assistance and approval, despite not being born into a family of artists.

Artemisia Gentileschi, Susanna and the Elders

Another female artist during this time period was Artemisia Gentileschi, who worked in her father’s studio. While working in his studio, Artemisia was raped by a male colleague named Agostino Tassi. In order to protect her reputation, Artemisia was forced into marrying him, but he later turned on their marriage. As result, “Artemisia’s father brought a lawsuit against him. (Women were not allowed to bring charges in the court” (The Guerilla Girls, 36). Despite being jailed, Tassi was eventually allowed back into her father’s studio. This unfortunate situation with Artemisia showed how poorly treated women artists were, they constantly were scrutinized by male colleagues. The situation also speaks to the rights of women as a whole, since the rape made seem Artemisia seem like the bad person. Despite the trauma, Artemisia eventually continued to create art, using her experiences to create powerful messages.


Sources:

Chadwick, Whitney. Women, Art, and Society. Londres: Thames & Hudson, 2012. Print. 

The Guerrilla Girls, The Guerrilla Girls' Bedside Companion To The History of Western Art. New York: Penguin Books USA, 1998. Print.

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