The Middle Ages was a time heavily dominated by patriarchy and all of the ideology that came along with it. This dogma that was spread, preached that women were inferior to men and had no business doing anything other than pleasing men, and caring for their family. During this period, almost all women were denied the access to any opportunities that would lead to knowledge or individual growth. In “Women, Art and Society” Chadwick states, “[most] women were restricted to the home and [were] economically dependent on fathers, husbands, brothers or sovereigns” (Chadwick, 44). Not only were women forced into these domestic roles, of being mothers and wives, they also lacked any sort of freedom. The only way a woman was granted freedom or a sense of independence was if she was born into a noble family. Women who were fortunate enough to be in this position were able to escape society’s harsh gender construct by joining a convent. While it was considered a luxury to be able to join a convent, there were still some limitations. According to Chadwick “[women] were prohibited from teaching by St. Paul’s caution that ‘a woman must be a learner, listening quietly and with due submission. I do not permit a woman to be a teacher, nor must a woman domineer over a man; a woman should be quiet” (Chadwick, 45). While the convent did grant women access to an education, they were still banned from participating in anything that was considered to be a form of power. This included preaching, officiating in church, and becoming priests.
Not all women were given the opportunity to join a convent, but those who did were able to lead a life free from the constraint of domesticated roles. In the convents women were able to write books and explore the realms of science, medicine and sacred music. In The Guerrilla Girls’ Bedside Companion To The History of Western Art, they state “many claimed to mystical visions in which God spoke directly to them , revealing the truths about the nature of Christian faith and salvation” (Guerilla Girls, 22). The nuns would then go to scribes to have their visions translated into pieces of art, that would travel the world and spread what they had seen. This was celebrated by the male clergy as it “represented the emotional, nonrational side of the female sex” (Guerilla Girls, 22). Although these women received some recognition for this, it would be too good to be true for them to continue on this path of growth. Their voices and knowledge soon became a threat to the church, which caused most independent convents to be eradicated or taken over by priests. One woman who exceeded the boundaries and rules of the church was Hildegard von Bingen. Hildegard was born into a wealthy family who sent her to a convent at the age of eight, and would later be elected Abbess in 1136. Despite the self doubt she faced and illnesses she would would be forced to overcome, Hildegard was able to take her visions and record them in her first book Scivias. These writings, which took ten years to complete, allowed her to express and share 35 of her mystical experiences. Even though Hildegard received the pope’s blessing, later in her life she was faced with scrutiny from the church. The Guerrilla Girls explain “Hildegard’s independent ideas infuriated the church higher ups, and she was placed in house arrest in Abbey” (Guerilla Girls, 25). It is noted to this day that Hildegard was a maverick who pushed the envelope during her time.
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| Hildegard von Bingen, Scivias, 1142-52 |
Moving into the Renaissance, people were much more open to the idea of enlightenment and challenging societal norms. While things were progressing in other areas, women were still denied political rights, and equal treatment from the government as well as the art world. It is during this time period that male artists were receiving all of the accolades for their art and were held at the highest esteem for their talent. If a woman was not born into a wealthy, or noble family, it was almost impossible for her to be taken seriously as an artist. In the event that a woman was accepted into a guild, she would be given a job or task “ that required fewer skills , or skills of a kind that could be easily transferred to new households upon marriage” (Chadwick, 68). Again, the toxic idea of women being confined to unskillful or domestic roles was still being taught and spread by many.
The Medieval painter, Elisabetta Sirani, was a female artist who was a victim of her society’s beliefs. Sirani, like majority of female artists from this time, was birthed into an artistic and noble family. Her works exhibited her great talent and skill, however she was never given the recognition or attention she deserved. Sirani’s artistry and paintings spoke volumes for women during the Renaissance. In her painting, Portia Wounding Her Thigh, “[Portia is] stabbing herself deeply in the thigh, [as she] has to prove herself virtuous and worthy of political trust by separating herself from the rest of her sex” (Chadwick, 101).This piece reveals the great lengths women had to go in order to separate themselves from the narrative of women being inferior to men. Chadwick explains “she demonstrates, finally, that women who prove their virtue through individual acts of bravery can come to be recognized as almost like men” (Chadwick, 104).
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| Elisabetta Sirani, Portia Wounding Her Thigh, 1664 |
Finally, at the turn of the 18th century into the 19th century, things started to look up for women. Chadwick describes the 19th century as “the greatest period of female social progress in history” (Chadwick, 177). Women began taking on the traits that defined male artists, such as independence, self-reliance, and competitiveness. During this period,women strayed away from painting the typical and orthodox subject of flower, and moved onto to painting different subjects and landscapes. Artist, Rosa Bonheur, was used an example for other woman at that time, as she rejected all of the preconceived notions associated with female artists. Bonheur is known for her painting ,The Horse Fair, which gained her attention and “made her one of the best-loved artists in
Europe” (Guerilla Girls, 48). Bonheur is also known for her involvement in the early women’s movement and was all for women standing for what they believed in. Bonheur was an advocate for women’s rights that are ongoing even today. Women artists will continue to work on overcoming some of these issues, however with the help of their predecessors half the battle is already won.
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| Rosa Bonheur, The Horse Fair, 1853 |
Works Cited
The Guerilla Girls, The Guerrilla Girls' Bedside Companion to the History of Western Art. Penguin Books, 2006.
Chadwick, Whitney. Women, Art, and Society. Langara College, 2016
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