Gender roles, sex and power

The Middle Ages was a time where the church was considered a very important part among society and religion was the center point of everything. “By the end of the first millennium, Western Europe had evolved into a network of feudal Christian cities and kingdoms” (Guerrilla Girls 19). The class and status of a person mattered a lot because it dictated what one was and was not allowed to do. It ranged from the high upper class of the church (kings, Priests, noblemen, lords) and the lower class (serfs and slaves.) “Art in the middle ages became a didactic tool of the church” (Guerrilla Girls 19). As a result of this art such as illuminated manuscripts and tapestries along with religious objects and massive cathedrals became very popular during this time.

The roles of women in the middle ages were very strict and resulted in women having little to no power at all. As the Guerrilla Girls explain to us, women had two options during this time, either they would pursue a life as a nun or they would marry and begin their life dedicated entirely to their husbands, family, and household. For those who choose the path of the church, they were to enter into convents. Under the Benedict Rule “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). This rule formed the community of both men and women in the middle ages. Although women were equal with men when it came to religion, they were still not allowed to take on any major power roles such as preaching or becoming priests.  

Hildegard Von Bingen. Page of Scivias

Hildegard Von Bingen. Page of Scivias

“Despite the liabilities of the feudalism elsewhere, under it women did not lose all legal rights, status, and economic power. Often they managed large estates while men were at war or occupied elsewhere on business; by the thirteenth century the rapid growth of commence and city life has even produced a class of urban working women” (Chadwick 47). Looking back at art, women would create tapestries and illuminated manuscripts that revolved around the church and its messages. Hildegard Von Bingen was very well known for her pictures in the Scivias. She was believed to have the visions of God and with those visions she created stories that she displayed to the public. This was the type of work that many women during this time period created.    

As we move into the Renaissance the roles of women slowly start to change and this brings fourth new ideas in society and within art. “The development of capitalism and the emergence of the modern state transformed economic, social, and familial relationships in Renaissance Italy” (Chadwich 66). Much like before women were still inferior to men and much of what was given to men like the ability to enter and work in guilds/academies, learn in schools, earn commission on their work or become masters were closed off to women. However, “one of the few ways a woman could work as an artist was to be born into a family of artists that needed assistance in the family workshop” (Guerrilla Girls 29). This was the break through for many lucky women such as Sofonisba Anguissola, Lavinia Fontana, Elisabetta Sirani and others.

Artemisia Gentileschi. Judith Slaying Holofernes

The Renaissance allowed women exceptions to become independent artists and this was reflected in their work. Since some women artists were taught under their fathers, they had the privilege to be taught in workshops and learn with male painters. They learned styles that we referred to as Baroque (dark backgrounds, playing with light, rendering of the human form). In addition to learning advanced ways to paint women broke free from traditions and the male gaze. When women painted they no longer painted women as a sight like many male painters have done in the past, instead they gave women power and the ability to resist. Focus in paintings reflects the strengths that women had and were not able to display in real life. Women did not display a sense submission but of domineering control in paintings. A perfect example of this would be Artemisia Gentileschi’s Judith slaying holofernes. Because of her experiences and her talent she painted with a new found freedom.

The transition into the 19th century was a great leap into the future for women. In the previous century women were concentrating on still life paintings focusing mostly on nature. Some women even got great opportunities to paint for the royal family but in the century to come many women found better opportunities. "Modern feminist campaigns emerged out of a complex nineteenth century reform movements in Western Europe and America. Nineteenth century reforms movements were part of a growing middle-class response to widespread social and economic changes following the Industrial Revolution" (Chadwick 175). Women at this point in time had begun to enjoy more freedoms and privileges especially in the art community. There was a new rise in the demand for women to work outside of their homes. Many were trading in their marriage and home commitments to go out into the working world. Women were now getting jobs that were once only open to men. Then we also have the new found women artists who began painting great landscapes, making sculptures, and even moving out of their comfort zones to express themselves.

Harriet Powers Quilt

With the abolition of slavery, women rose to create quilting. These quilts became a very important part in history because they showed historical and biblical scenes. One of the most famous women to have her quilts in a museum was Harriet Powers. A freed slave, who was illiterate had created her quilts using the applique technique. Edmonia Lewis had become very famous for her marble sculptures. "In Rome she learned to work in the then-fashionable neoclassical style. She was taken under the wing of a group of well-to-do American women artists, writers, and intellectuals-many of them lesbians" (Guerrilla Girls 51). Even Photography rose to became an accepted form of art that women were able to take advantage of. People like Julia Margaret Cameron took pictures of old men and young women to as a way of expressing herself. As we can see there were many great advances for women to take part in and as the centuries continue we will continue to see even bigger steps for women.

The Guerrilla Girls' Bedside Companion to the History of Western Art. New York: Penguin, 1998. Print.

Women, Art, And Society. New York:Thames & Hudson Ltd, London, 2007. Print.