The Misogyny Of Women In Art During The Seventeenth Century

The misogyny of women in art during the twelfth century is clearly relevant in art especially seen in churches. The depictions of Adam and Eve from the bible were examples seen in most of this church art as well as the Mother of Christ, Mary, and other important religious figures. As the relationship of men and women began to change from the tenth century until the fourteenth century it changed throughout the art as well depicting the role of women during each period. In this paper I am going to summarize and analyze the chapter Eve and Mary: Conflicting Images of Medieval Women using specific references from the readings to support my claims. Centuries prior to the fourteenth century portrayed women as evil in some cases being associated
What was known as the cult of the Virgin as the “Mother of Mercy” was put into place by the order of Culny. It was a reponse to the fear of the world ending as the approach of the year one thousand came around (84). More towards the twelfth century did the cult of Mary begin to be inspired by modern poetry and love. Representations then were seen as a form of feminization of the divinity referred to Mary (86). Mary was made to be a real girl, mother and woman it was a way to humanize her after the birth of Jesus. Also more themes seen in the thirteenth century is “the rehabilitation of fallen women by an honest man”(87). This was the time when the social position for women began to change. Esther and Judith are figures that are found throughout thirteenth century art. They played huge roles in advancing the social position of women. An example of them can be seen at the Chartres. Esther is shown pleading for her peoples help at the feet of Ahasuerus while Judith is seen pouring ashes onto herself, this image can be seen on Pg.88 figure 10 and 11. More important scenes with women that are significant are “The Massacre of the Innocents” it expresses through its illustrations the idea of motherly love and how women were seen and beginning to obtain the motherly feature we now associate with women
In the thirteenth century women were able to obtain up to one third of their parents land before this they had to be married to receive any amount of inheritance. Then Pope Innocent III was forced to allow that Queen Alienor to have full rights of any leader. This was a huge development for women’s rights and social position. They were even given the right to work and in certain categories mostly involving the making of clothing and some even female doctors. Women were even seen in armor ready to fight during the middle ages. This was due to the high mortality rate of mean during the crusaders. Most of the women were assigned specific tasks not always put in the line of fire. They also played some heroic roles and during battle would operate a projectile-thrower that would launch stones. The crusader was also a huge part in changing the social status of women during the medieval ages. Many women became widows, some remarried but others didn’t happy to have freedom. One example used on pg. 96 is how “the Comtesse Catherine de Chartres”, ran her husband’s affairs when he was off at war and when he was killed she took control over it