Women's Roles Over the Years

          Blog Post 2

          In the beginning, women  were not capable of doing much besides being the housewife they were expected to be or becoming a nun. During the middle ages, there was such a thing as a futile system where everyone was born into their social class. Women were not highly recognized then, especially if they were unfortunate enough to be born into a lower class. "many of these artists were women, either working in businesses owned by male family members or living as nuns in convents" (Guerrilla Girls 19). They basically either had the option to become a housewife or a nun, so they were not granted much freedom. education was considered a privilege at the time as well, so women were really confined into a poor and unfortunate state. "within the convent women had access to learning even though they were prohibited from teaching by Saint 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; she should be quiet'" (Chadwick 45). 

Ælfgyva and the Cleric, from The Bayeux Tapestry c. 1086

This sense of male dominance and patriarchy give rise to this area of artwork reflecting the male pride. For example, above is a piece of artwork that has some sort of representation of the Middle Ages. It has lost its meaning through various interpretations throughout the years. However, one meaning remains to be evident, it exploits primarily men. The male nude suggests that the scene may have been scandalous. it's ambiguous state and lack of being able to present it's official meaning today suggests that women were not even considered in society, but rather outside the course of political power, shown by the military hero presented. Women were not even considered enough to be worthy of being in this piece, which explicitly shows how women were ignored in this time period.
          Around the 14th century, the Renaissance emerged. The economic structure of feudalism was altered to mercantilism. Mercantilism challenges feudalism because anyone can be in any class they choose so long as they work for it, of course. The church originally played a role to appease the poor. However, an exchange of ideas breaks the control of the church. Patrons who were part of the aristocracy began commissioning art. More nuns emerged in this period, because it gave women a chance of freedom and allow them to secretly become educated. This eventually led to the theme of women expressing their need for education through art just as women reflected their solitary confinement and feelings of injustice in their artwork. 

Sofonisba Anguissola, Self Portrait, 1556

above is a portrait of Sofonisba Anguissola. She was unique for her beautiful portraiture, which was her specialty. She was given the freedom to paint because her father, Amilcare, was a painter. In addition, she was also wealthy because kings, queens, and people of high statusses were her customers. In the painting, she paints herself as a painter. This shows Aguissola's devotion to her dream. In addition she is seen painting the Madonna and Child, which compares herself to one of the most famous male painter. This painting symbolizes how she is equivalent to a man in superiority and it shows the confidence she portrays in her work. other women artists that were famous throughout this period are shown in this video, where they show their famous paintings. 
          Around the 17th and 18th century, are spread in many directions. "While the male academics were off painting the 'important' subject of war and the gods, most women artists of the 17th and 18th centuries kept the home fires burning, perfecting the areas where they were allowed to excel: still life and portraiture" (Guerrilla Girls 40). neoclassicism emerged, which emphasized heroic themes from history and mythology. One artist that stood out around that time was Élisabeth Vigée-Le Brun. Her father and husband were a painters as well. although she had a troubled marriage, art was something she always focused on, which made her gain much success in her paintings.

Élisabeth Vigee-Le Brun, Marie Antoinette and Her Children, 1787

This painting above is of Marie Antoinette. Above what people thought of her, Vigée-Le Brun portrayed a motherly figure caring for her children. She made her seem, above all, normal despite the rumors going around of how self absorbed she may have been. This painting exhibits her in a red dress like her daughter symbolizing the love and compassion they have for each other and their family. It also shows the son pointing at the siblings portraying to the viewer that they are a loving family above all.
          During the 1800's, beginning at 1837 to be exact, the Victorian era emerges. The Industrial Revolution flourished, which facilitated our production. The invention of the camera also almost me painting antiquated. Women still were not given enough credit and were restricted to even attend the Royal Academy until they began using pen names to get in. This gave rise to many to depictions of symbols in art like animals, for example. Rosa Bonheur, daughter of a painter who believed in gender equality, loved women and animals. 

Rosa Bonheur, The Horse Fair, 1855

She integrated animals within her work because they symbolize vices and virtues of women. The horses with in her painting represented freedom. Not only that, her painting was painted outside, which removed her from her expected social sphere. Animals became a sign of "domesticated femininity" (Chadwick 192). She set an example for other female artist as well. Animals became an icon during the Victorian era. More information on the Victorian era and women artists can be found on this presentation.
          Moreover, women coped with the hardships throughout the years by expressing them through their art. They formed an ideal way of thinking that spread to contemporary art. Feminism spurred an entire revolution and these women artists wanted to break the obstacle between them and men and they eventually did willingly and successfully. Artists mentioned above helped shape the way society is today and if it was not for them we would not have achieved the gender equality that, for the most part, we express today.

Works Cited

Chadwick, W. (2007). Women, Art, and Society (4th ed.). New York, NY: Thames and Hudson.
Guerrilla Girls. (1998). The Guerrilla Girls' Bedside Companion to the History of Western Art. New York, NY: Penguin Books.