Gender Roles, Sex, Power

   The expected roles of women in Europe in the middle ages were to take care of the men and the home. As stated in Women, Art, and Society, during this time most women were restricted to the home and economically dependent on fathers, husbands, brothers, or sovereigns. (Chadwick, 44) Throughout history we do have the pleasure of seeing many changes in women's roles, within society, the church, and most importantly within the art world.

   The Middle Ages in Europe was a time in which the church was in power. The church was essential to life, it was central in this time. A hierarchy was in place which meant if you are born into peasant class that is where you die. During this time, in order for women to learn had to become apart of the clergy. An escape from being a wife or mother was to become a nun, a nun could do so many things women at home could not. Therefore, only nuns were able to learn, and though at the time it was rare they did learn from one another, as they were separated from male clergy. “They operated businesses, farmed, made tapestries, copied and illustrated manuscripts, composed and performed music.” (Guerrilla Girls, 22) One women whom expressed herself through art, and was credited as a “prophetic voice” was Hildegard of Bingen. She had beautiful paintings, hymns, books and even a play. “Her visions encompass much of the scientific and religious knowledge of her time and she has the distinctions of being the only woman who has a volume of the Church “fathers” official Patriologia Latina devoted entirely to her works.” (Chadwick,59) Hildegard was referred to as a vessel of God, insinuating her talent was given to her from God, her art it was not of her own vision but one from God, so this made it was then acceptable for her to display manuscripts and paintings.

   As feudalism declined and mercantilism started taking over, the Renaissance began. Art history's conception of the Renaissance was, a historically, geographically and culturally unique period which is based on the lives and achievements of men. Contributions of art by women do not fit into this period neatly. “In most cities, women were barred from painters’ guilds or academies (except for lace and silkmakers’ guilds).” (Guerrilla Girls, 29) Guerrilla Girls also goes on to state if women were not born into a family with artist whom required assistance in the workshop they were not otherwise allowed in the workshops. One exception to the restrictions women faced was Sofonisba Anguissola."..a noble whose father believed women should be educated." (Guerrilla Girls, 29) 

   One of my favorite artist of the time was Armenia Gentileschi. She faced many obstacles, she was raped and faced much criticism  but it did not stop her from doing what she loved. "She somehow was able to set up her own atelier, learned to read and was the first female member admitted to the Accademia Del Disegno." (Guerrilla Girls, 37) She is an example that you can achieve whatever you want, she was prominent and her paintings were boisterous, but she was able to put all her feelings into her paintings and the outcome was incredible. 

   In the 17th and 18th century not much changed. However,  women were painting more, but at the time they faced restrictions as to the subjects of there paintings. "While the male academics were off painting the "important" subjects 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) Some women however, "beat the guys at their own game" as Guerrilla Girls stated.One in particular is a women named Angelica Kauffmann. She,  a long with other artist were apart of the change which was occurring. "..are inextricably bound up in the changing ideologies of representation and sexual difference that accompany the shift from a courtly aristocratic culture to that of prosperous middle-class capitalist society." (Chadwick, 139) Angelica Kauffmann was selling her work and was able to buy her own home, she was free to do many paintings.  I am not sure if this is just luck on Angelica Kauffmans' behave or if this is the true sign of times changing, because she was prominent and owned her own home by profiting from her work,but other women were still trapped in there homes and families. 

   The 19th century was interesting, slavery in the United States had been abolished, there was progression in transportation services, but the struggle for gender equality continued. The Freed Women and Forever Free sculptors by Edmonia Lewis were sculptors which expressed the emancipation of slaves " All persons held as slaves... are, and henceforward shall be, free." (Chadwick, 225)  

   With the advances in technology so many women were able to travel and move out of the U.S for studying purposes. Colleges for women were available in London at this time. So with the schools and advances in technology many women were able to leave the U.S and study in a place were they were more socially accepted.  Towards the late 1870s, women were drawn to Impressionism. "Some women were drawn to Impressionism precisely because the new painting legitimized the subject matter of domestic social life of which women had intimate knowledge, even as they were excluded from imagery of the bourgeois social sphere of the boulevard, cafe, and dance hall." (Chadwick, 232) This marks a change but it did come with lots of criticism. 
    Mary Cassatt, an Impressionist, whom "fled the U.S to escape the resistance to both women artists and new ideas about painting." (Guerilla Girls, 56) Was an exceptional artist.Though at the time many restrictions were set on women artist. Cassatt was one which had friendly relationships with men artist which in turn helped her receive the recognition she deserved, or rather permitted her to receive the recognition she deserved. The man whom  "permitted" her to to display her work was a man by the name Edgard Degas. More on Degas and Cassatt relationship,Cassatt and Degas Meet At this time SOME men were more accepting of the women artist while others believed women still belonged at home. Those men whom accepted the women artist, however, still had there reservation. when a positive critique at the time was that it might be easily mistaken for a man’s.
   Through out these different eras, we do see a change within women's roles within society. Though it was not a major change because women were still looked down upon during the 19th century. There was a transition that helped women become free of these roles they felt they had to fulfill. It began with taking care of the homes, the children, and husbands. By the 19th Century we have women displaying there art and becoming Impressionist. We still till this day live in a patriarchal society, and as women we will continue the battle,  to one day be truly equal to men. Though in my opinion,  we will never be equal to men we will always be greater. After, studying the oppression of women and all the restrictions they faced, I wonder were men just trying to control women, or were they fearing the fact that a women could possible be more successful and ultimately a better artist then a man.

 References: 

Chadwick, Whitney. Women, Art, and Society. 3rd Edition. United Kingdom: Thames and Hudson Ltd., 1990.

Girls, Guerilla. The Guerilla Girls' Bedside Companion To The History of Western Art. England: Penguin Books., 1998