Women In Western Civilization
Images of Women in Western Civilization
Women’s Roles in Society and Contributions to the Art during the Renaissance Period
GENTILESCHI, Artemisia Judith and Her Maidservant 1614‐20 Galleria Palatina (Palazzo Pitti), Florence
The Renaissance is the period in history that served as a liaison between the Middle Ages and the Modern Age era. Historically, it is the period known for great changes and adaptation, the cultural movement and the rebirth period that lead to great contributions to the arts. A period of great emphasis on humanism, great discoveries, the exploration of new Continents, as well as the development of printing, which indeed lead to a much wider availability of ancient text and scriptures. Accordingly, this era …show more content…
1490-91. The Hermitage, St. Petersburg.
MICHELANGELO “Virgin and Child with St John and Angels” C. 1497. National Gallery, London
.
In contrast, the works of one of the first well known Renaissance Female artist whose painting still exist today Sofonisba Anguissola, mainly focuses on either the representation of self-portraits or the portrayal of family life. Perhaps Sofonisba was using her art to express the reality of the era, or perhaps in a male dominated world her intention was to stick to the norms and solely portray images that would bring no shame to her and her Aristocratic family history.
ANGUISSOLA, Sofonisba “Self-Portrait at the Easel “c. 1556 Muzeum-Zamek, Lancut
Moreover, if we look into the actual daily life of women during this time, we can conclude that the artistic representation was a large contrast with the reality of the time. During this time the sentiment was that all respectable women would not be allowed in public unless it was to attend mass or family events. Women were not allowed to interact with men and to be seen walking in the piazza was just forbidden and almost as shameful as committing a sin (O’Neill, M, 2001, p.3).
Female role in Society during the …show more content…
For Example, Sofinosba letters to her patrons were in a humble tone, expressing her gratitude for their support, but also letting them know how much pleasure it is for her to serve them and continue to do so. Accordingly in one of her letters to a patron she wrote “ I am most confident Your Serene Highness’s benevolence, being your most affectionate servant”; “Having been in your Highness service for a long time”; “ I pray you would favor me by keeping me as one of your subjects” (York, L 2001,p. 8). In her letters, she never mentions request for payments nor did she demand for her work to be respected and valued. Most interesting was the point that she made no reference of her gender, her only interest was to continue to service her patron.
However, the fact that she never requested payments for her work could be attributed to her social status. As Whitney Chadwick (2007) noted “ Sofonisba Anguissola came from a prominent family and because of this she was not allowed to sell her work, they were mostly promoted in the form of gifts (p.79). Aside from Anguissola introvert approach to her work, her well-established
Women’s Roles in Society and Contributions to the Art during the Renaissance Period
GENTILESCHI, Artemisia Judith and Her Maidservant 1614‐20 Galleria Palatina (Palazzo Pitti), Florence
The Renaissance is the period in history that served as a liaison between the Middle Ages and the Modern Age era. Historically, it is the period known for great changes and adaptation, the cultural movement and the rebirth period that lead to great contributions to the arts. A period of great emphasis on humanism, great discoveries, the exploration of new Continents, as well as the development of printing, which indeed lead to a much wider availability of ancient text and scriptures. Accordingly, this era …show more content…
1490-91. The Hermitage, St. Petersburg.
MICHELANGELO “Virgin and Child with St John and Angels” C. 1497. National Gallery, London
.
In contrast, the works of one of the first well known Renaissance Female artist whose painting still exist today Sofonisba Anguissola, mainly focuses on either the representation of self-portraits or the portrayal of family life. Perhaps Sofonisba was using her art to express the reality of the era, or perhaps in a male dominated world her intention was to stick to the norms and solely portray images that would bring no shame to her and her Aristocratic family history.
ANGUISSOLA, Sofonisba “Self-Portrait at the Easel “c. 1556 Muzeum-Zamek, Lancut
Moreover, if we look into the actual daily life of women during this time, we can conclude that the artistic representation was a large contrast with the reality of the time. During this time the sentiment was that all respectable women would not be allowed in public unless it was to attend mass or family events. Women were not allowed to interact with men and to be seen walking in the piazza was just forbidden and almost as shameful as committing a sin (O’Neill, M, 2001, p.3).
Female role in Society during the …show more content…
For Example, Sofinosba letters to her patrons were in a humble tone, expressing her gratitude for their support, but also letting them know how much pleasure it is for her to serve them and continue to do so. Accordingly in one of her letters to a patron she wrote “ I am most confident Your Serene Highness’s benevolence, being your most affectionate servant”; “Having been in your Highness service for a long time”; “ I pray you would favor me by keeping me as one of your subjects” (York, L 2001,p. 8). In her letters, she never mentions request for payments nor did she demand for her work to be respected and valued. Most interesting was the point that she made no reference of her gender, her only interest was to continue to service her patron.
However, the fact that she never requested payments for her work could be attributed to her social status. As Whitney Chadwick (2007) noted “ Sofonisba Anguissola came from a prominent family and because of this she was not allowed to sell her work, they were mostly promoted in the form of gifts (p.79). Aside from Anguissola introvert approach to her work, her well-established