Post 3 Middle Ages and Renaissance HW 9/24 - Jahkai

In Europe during the middle ages, the lives of women were largely determined by a strict hierarchy. Women were expected to be wives, mothers, or nuns, and their lives revolved around obedience, modesty, and domestic work. During the Renaissance women's roles did change, but nothing ground breaking. Women from wealthier or "noble" families were sometimes trained in arts & literacy, but never taken seriously on a professional level. Even though, some women were able to break through. Elisabetta Sirani, for example, a 17th-century painter, chose to paint the Roman woman Portia at the very moment she stabbed herself to prove her strength of character before asking Brutus to entrust her with his confidence. “Sirani chose the moment at which Portia wounded herself to test her strength of character before asking Brutus to confide in her.” Showing female strength that people didn't believe in.

Women in the Middle Ages were mostly confined to roles deemed as fitting, the Renaissance opened limited doors for creative women. Who had to push through restrictions with intelligence, symbolism, and bold reinterpretation. These women artists rewrote the narrative of what women could be and how they could be seen.

Portia wounding her thigh (1664) - Elisabetta Sirani

Judith slaying Holofernes (1620) - Artemisia Gentileschi

Guerrilla Girls 

"When we think of a "Renaissance man," we imagine a guy who could do anything and everything and was way ahead of his time in knowledge and abilities. In fact, a real "Renaissance man" would not get to first base with most 20th-century women."

This statement jokes about the fact that the men for this time were looked up to so much. Even being able to be seen as someone who can "do anything" wouldn't even last well with a woman of the 20th century. Which i assume is because of the time difference and how women & men are viewed.

Chadwick Chapter 2.

"The absence of women's names from the lists of artists responsible for the "renaissance" of western culture in fifteenth century Florence deserves careful scrutiny."

This quote mentions women being missing from the list of artists respected for their role in art in the renaissance. Makes us want to re-evaluate history, to question what we were taught and ask "why were these names left out."

"Amilcare Anguissola's decision to dedicate his daughter to art set a precedent"

Most women weren't included from art, so to see a artist dedicate his daughter to art. Or even having a female pupil was rare. Not just rare but, progressive.

Chadwick Chapter 3

"Sirani chose the moment at which Portia wounded herself to test her strength of character before asking Brutus to confide in her"

This is talking about the painting of Portia stabbing herself in the thigh to prove that she is strong enough. That she can handle whatever political beliefs Brutus had. She wanted to prove herself by separating herself from the norms placed on her gender, by proving she was "literally" strong enough by doing a action that would show that. Sirani chose to picture this, showing that women could be strong. Going against the narrative.

"The growth of naturalism in the seventeenth century led to a new emphasis on the depiction of courage and physical prowess in representation."

I believe this quote is talking about how most of these drawings from these years are more "idealism" which is what people look for in a woman. While "naturalism" is more of what they really are, in the literal sense. I think in a way, artists used this art style to oppose "idealism" and turning into a tool for empowerment. To show the reality of women and to push that into the scene.