Post 2

Romanda Abedair
Professor Cacoilo
Art and Women
March 7th, 2017

Role of Women in Europe 

During the Middle Ages religion was emphasized especially on roles of both genders. Men of the time created these strict roles for women. The middle ages "emphasized their labor illumination of a women milking a cow"(Chadwick, p. 43). These women were responsible of raising their children, cleaning the house, preparing meals, etc. Men were the superior gender and were entitled ownership of their spouse. Women who did not want to get married they were forced to become a nun. Christine De Pizan was a female artist who wrote many books defending woman and their god given rights. This was incredible because this was years before the printing press had been invented. During the middle ages art was expressed in religious forms. Christine De Pizan educated herself during this age and challenged male writers who wrote that women are not smart enough. Pizan is one of the most bravest person during her time. She created a work called Christine de Pizan in her study, from The City of Ladies in 1405, this piece was a breakthrough from the norm. This women is the first female to write and argue against her roles during that time and because of her strength she became the stepping stone for the change of society.

Christine de Pizan in her study, from The City of Ladies in 1405, Brooklyn Museum 

During the Renaissance Era, it was less strict with the typical roles of women. In other words there was more opportunity for women to express themselves especially through art, they were encouraged by their fathers to draw. Social class played a huge role, wealthy women had more freedom but in terms of lower class, divorce was limited, and rape was not considered serious. Overall women were obligated to stay "pure" until marriage while men were allowed to do what pleased to. Artemisia Gentileschi daughter of Orazio Gentileschi created a break through in women and art. Since women were blamed all throughout history Artemisia wanted to change the perspective so she redrew Susanna and the Elders. In the painting one can clearly see the difference in the other painting, Susanna and the Elders by Tintoretto.  In Gentileschi painting it is revealed that the women is not available and is frightened which is shown in her body expression and closed legs and the men are reaching out for forceable sexual pleasure. Sine rape was not taken serious this painting introduced the fear of rape during the time. While in Tintoretto's painting the women appeared to be available and since there is a mirror that is shown in the painting it expresses vanity in the women. Also her legs are open waiting for men. Susanna and the Elders is a rape story and for a women to appear available changes the perspective with blaming the female instead of the male. The 19th century was a beginning breakthrough for female artist and female in general. During this time women took care of their children and knew how to read and write. They were more independent and fully clothed. For example the painting by Lilly Martin Spencer, War Spirit at home, 1866, the mother is reading the newspaper while taking care of her four children with the help of the widow in the back. However, women were still obligated to present themselves for marriage. For example in the painting We both must fade, 1869 the women did not look happy in her nice gown. It was as if she was forced to look nice in order for her to look available to men. Her childhood of freedom was fading away after that day.

Tintoretto, Susanna and the Elders, 1555 

Artemisia Gentileschi, Susanna and the Elders, 1610  

Lilly Martin Spencer, War Spirit at Home, 1866  

Work Cited:

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.

Brooklyn Museum