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In todays episode we explore the role women played in Medieval European Society, with a focus on Anglo-Saxon Queens and their political and religious influences, the power and respect bestowed on wise and visionary abbesses and nuns and artists who produced embroidery that was praised throughout Europe. Images - Instagram @themuseumoffeminintySources Femina: A New History of the Middle Ages, Through the Women Written Out of It Book by Janina Ramirez https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/histories/women-in-history/queen-bertha-historical-enigma/https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/whitby-abbey/history-and-stories/st-hild/https://www.bl.uk/people/queen-emmahttps://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofEngland/Aethelflaed-Lady-of-the-Mercians/https://www.historyextra.com/period/norman/bayeux-tapestry-where-make-how-long-who-when-stitch-penises-visit/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Hildegardhttps://www.arthistoryproject.com/artists/hildegard-von-bingen/scivias-i3-god-cosmos-and-humanity/

Welcome back to the museum of Femininity. In this episode we will be exploring the life of Helen Keller (1880 - 1968) and American author, activist and lecturer who was also Deafblind. We will be exploring her remarkable life including her prolific body of written work and her achievements in educations, as well as her incredible partnership with teacher Anne Sullivan, who was instrumental in Keller learning to communicate as a child and as an educator who was also visually impaired has an interesting story in her own right. In this episode we aim to capture some of Keller's personality and celebrate the barriers she overcame as well as analysing some of the more troubling aspects of her life, particularly around her desire to marry at the age of 36 and the resistance this decision  provoked in her family and loved ones. I am not an expert in this subject and much of what I discovered when I was reading for this episode I learnt for the first time. I expect there is much of Helen Keller's story left uncovered so I encourage you to read deeper if this topic interests you.Images Instagram @themuseumoffeminintySourceshttps://time.com/5918660/helen-keller-disability-history/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Helen-Kellerhttps://www.afb.org/about-afb/history/helen-keller/biography-and-chronology/biographyhttps://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/helen-keller-relationships-love-and-identity/18982/#:~:text=In%20June%201916%2C%20when%20she,couple%20made%20plans%20to%20marry.

In this episode we wrap up our marriage series by analysing the tradition of marriage in the Victorian era (1837-1901).We will explore the role of marriage in society, why people married and if attitudes to marriage evolved as the century progressed. Through examining such traditions we hope to shine light on the lives of women in Victorian society and how they navigated gender norms and expectations.Instagram @themuseumoffemininity Sourceshttps://www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/story-of-england/victorian/https://spartacus-educational.com/Wmarriage.htmhttps://www.historyextra.com/period/victorian/how-to-celebrate-victorian-wedding-dresses-food-honeymoon/https://www.brides.com/what-is-a-bridal-trousseau-1860910#:~:text=From%20Victorian%20times%2C%20the%20trousseau,if%20skilled%20with%20a%20needle.

In this mini episode we examine the fascinating story of Boudica (30AD - 61AD) warrior Queen of the Iceni people who led a successful yet blood thirsty campaign against Roman forces who were ruling Britain in this time. In addition to the historic events we will also address how Boudica has been portrayed in art and media and how this reflects the culture of the time. Instagram @themuseumoffeminintySourceshttps://www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/story-of-england/romans/https://www.worldhistory.org/Boudicca/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Boudicca

In this episode we will be discussing the role marriage played in the Georgian period (1714-1837)We will outline the ceremony and the traditions as well as some of the reasons why people married and how this differed in social classes. We will explore the pomp and ceremony of royal weddings, and how the press often painted a very different picture to reality. As well as the changes in marriage laws, in order to combat scandalous runaway marriages, some of the pitfalls to marriage and the dangers women faced if they made the wrong choice. We will also explore a case of Harriot Mellon, who went from daughter of an Irish Peasant to a millionaire duchess, through two advantageous marriages, and how this caused ripples throughout society, shining interesting light on the strictness of etiquette and knowing your place in the social order. Sources The Time Travellers guide to Georgian Britain by Ian Mortimer https://englishhistoryauthors.blogspot.com/2016/11/short-simple-and-to-point-regency.html#:~:text=Regency%20era%20wedding%20ceremonies%20were,between%208%20AM%20and%20noon.https://victorian-era.org/georgian-era-facts/weddings-marriages.htmlhttps://www.123helpme.com/essay/Analysis-Of-Social-Class-Mobility-And-Marriage-435139https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/story-of-england/georgians/

In this episode we discuss the career of Meiji era Japanese artist Uemura Shōen (1875 –1949) born in Kyoto she pursued artistic training from the age of 12, partly due to the support of her mother. From there she would have a highly successful career and became known for her paintings of beautiful women and her illustrations of scenes from Noh Plays. However, Uemura lived an unconventional life and did not adhere to the strict gender roles of Japanese society, even causing a stir when she had two children out of wedlock, the father of which was suspected to be her teacher. This is an interesting story about how one incredibly driven and creative woman was able to overcome social stigma to achieve immense respect in her chosen field, which equalled that of her male counterparts. I hope you enjoy this episode and apologise for my ropey voice, which is still not quite back to normal after recent thyroid surgery.ImagesInstagram @themuseumoffemininty Sourceshttps://artsandculture.google.com/story/the-inspiring-story-of-uemura-sh%C5%8Den/mwXxZujHMzKwGw?hl=enhttps://www.domestika.org/en/blog/8672-uemura-shoen-the-inspiring-story-of-japan-s-first-female-professional-painterJapanese art by Joan Stanley-Bakerhttps://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2019/05/28/arts/openings-outside-tokyo/bijin-ga-world-fine-feminine-beauty/https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/829412

Welcome back to the Museum of Femininity. In our new episode we will be discussing marriage in the Tudor Period, but more specifically the process of getting engaged and the wedding ceremony. By accessing key moments like this we hope to learn more about the role of women in society.During the Tudor period marriage became more codified with contracts and rules, we also start to see certain marriage traditions that persist today, like having witnesses present. Specific marriage are better documented particularly those of royalty, we will describe the lavish ceremony of Mary Tudors short lived marriage to the King of France, and how this reflects the symbolic importance of an event like this. ImagesInstagram @themuseumoffemininty Sourceshttps://www.historyextra.com/period/tudor/love-and-marriage-in-tudor-england/https://tudortimes.co.uk/daily-life/marriage/post-reformation-changeshttps://onthetudortrail.com/Blog/anne-boleyn/guest-articles/the-art-of-courtly-love-anne-boleyn-and-henry-viii/

In this episode we explore the lives and careers of Angelica Kauffman (1741-1807) and Mary Moser (1744-1819), who were the only two female founding members of the Royal Academy of Art, founded in 1768. We will discuss Angelica Kauffman's fame and her unladylike focus on the masculine and epic History painting, considered to be the most respected and accomplished genre of art. As well as her huge achievements and highly successful commissions.We will also discuss Mary Moser's career and commitment to the Academy, her work for royalty and her influence among other Academicians.Of course we will also explore some of the ways being female affected Moser and Kauffman's place in the RA, including ways in which they were excluded, as symbolically represented in a famous group portrait by Johan Joseph Zoffany. SourcesWomen Artists by Flavia Frigerihttps://www.apollo-magazine.com/angelica-kauffman-history-painting/https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/art-artists/name/mary-moser-rahttps://www.royalacademy.org.uk/article/ra-magazine-jenny-uglow-angelica-kauffman-raImagesInstagram - @themuseumoffemininity 

Welcome back to the Museum of Femininity, in todays episode we start a new series analysing the history of marriage, but more specifically the process of getting engaged, weddings and how people celebrated this happy occasion throughout history.Here we will be looking at the Middle Ages in Britain, the differences between a peasant wedding and an upper class wedding, why people married, what a wedding involved and how traditions of the past were similar and different to those today. We will also devote sometime to contextualising the time period and having a general discussion about the role of women in Medieval society.For imagesInstagram - @themuseumoffemininity Sourceshttps://rosaliegilbert.com/weddings.htmlhttps://www.bl.uk/the-middle-ages/articles/women-in-medieval-societyhttps://www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/story-of-england/medieval/https://www.medievaltimes.com/education/medieval-era/marriage#:~:text=In%20the%20middle%20ages%2C%20girls,boy%20she%20was%20to%20marry.

In this episode we discuss the fascinating story of Josephine Baker (1906-1975) an African American dancer, singer and actress who found tremendous fame and popularity in 1920s Paris, becoming an icon of the era.We will be talking about her inspiration rise to fame and what her time in Paris can tell us about attitudes to people of colour and African culture at this time. We will also be discussing Josephine's bravery in WW2 and her fight against segregation in the states. She is also well known for adopting 12 children of different ethnic backgrounds, her 'Rainbow tribe' which we will cover in this episode as well. ImagesInstagram - @themuseumoffemininity Sourceshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Negrophiliahttps://www.pbs.org/newshour/arts/french-honors-for-u-s-born-josephine-baker-prompts-criticism-over-racismhttps://www.liverpool.ac.uk/media/livacuk/csis-2/blackatlantic/archer-text.pdf.pdfhttps://www.milandes.com/en/josephine-baker/I Have Two Lovers by Josephine Baker https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suPSPKpF8SYJosephine Baker's Washington March Speech https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/speeches-african-american-history/1963-josephine-baker-speech-march-washington/

In this mini episode we talk about the tragic death of Mary Ann Walkley in 1863, caused in part by the appalling working conditions in the workshop of Madame Elise a highly respected Court dress maker. This will be a meditation on class and the difference between working women and the wealthy ladies who commissioned them to make their gowns. Illustration Instagram @themuseumoffeminintySources https://victorianweb.org/gender/ugoretz1.htmlhttps://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/107899https://www.mimimatthews.com/2016/09/20/death-at-the-needle-the-tragedy-of-victorian-seamstress-mary-walkley/

For our 50th episode we will be revisiting the Pre-Raphaelite Sisters by exploring the fascinating life of Effie Gray (1828-1897) a famed beauty, with a charming and vivacious personality, she is an interesting character as her life can tell us so much about Victorian society and the way women were perceived.Here we will be focusing on Effie Gray's unhappy and loveless marriage to the Art critic and Pre-Raphaelite champion John Ruskin and their scandelous annulment, which allowed her to marry the dashing Pre-Raphaelite painter and founder John Everett Millais, who she had fallen in love with. This is a story about the role of a wife, repressed sexuality, a woman's right to love, pleasure and freedom and the power and control of a rigid social structure where every class and gender has to adhere to certain rules and expectations. SourcesEffie: the Passionate lives of Effie Gray, John Ruskin and John Everett Millais by Suzanne Fagence CooperPre-Raphaelite Sisters by Jan Marshhttps://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw04406/Effie-Gray-Lady-Millais ImagesInstagram  @themuseumoffemininty 

In today's episode we explore the 19th century fascination with spiritualism and the occult and particularly the key role women played in this as consumers and mediums. We will discuss the different activities which fell under this spiritualist umbrella from mesmerism to seances and specific examples of women who  were followers of or worked as spiritualists, both the sincere and fraudulent . This conversation touches on why women were perceived to be more effective communicators with the dead in relation to  particular Victorian notions about femininity, as well as whether they were victims of these practises or used them as an opportunity to gain independence. ImagesInstagram - @themuseumoffeminintySourceshttps://www.bl.uk/romantics-and-victorians/articles/the-victorian-supernaturalhttps://fgcu.digital.flvc.org/islandora/object/fgcu%3A30530/datastream/OBJ/view/Fragile_Spectres__How_Women_of_Victorian_Britain_used_the_Occult_and_Spiritualist_Movement_to_Create_Autonomy.pdfhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A9ancehttps://publicdomainreview.org/collection/photographs-from-a-seance-with-eva-carriere-1913

In this mini episode we will look at the Georgian Bawdyhouse, what happened inside a Bawdyhouse, how they were run and who worked there, as well as the men who used it's services. By doing this we can analyse gender issues in this notoriously hedonistic time period.SourcesThe Bawdyhouse by Emily Brandhttps://georgianera.wordpress.com/2016/03/29/rehab-for-18th-century-prostitutes-magdalen-hospital/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fanny_Murray

This is not the catchiest title but the subject itself is extremely interesting and is an excellent example of how visual culture can shine a light on the way women were perceived in society. Profile portraits were a common genre in the mid 15th century to 16th century and were commissioned by wealthy merchant families. The sitters today are largely anonymous but were likely young brides from high status families, who posed dressed in luxurious clothing and jewellery, serving as visual symbols of feminine purity and nobility. Image in Florentine culture was very important and the representation of a wife was a matter of family honour. In this episode we will analyse some examples of these portraits and will also discuss their popularity among art collectors in the 1800s and what this can tell us about the romanticisation of  history.Sources Virtue and Beauty: Leonardo’s Ginevra de’ Benci and Renaissance Portraits of Women exhibition catalgouehttps://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/essay/a-profile-portrait-of-a-renaissance-woman-in-the-national-gallery-of-victoria/ 

In this episode we will be exploring the world of the Ottoman Harem during the 16th century. We will delve into the lives of concubines who lived within it's confines, the hierarchy within the harem as well as the benefits of life there, in addition to the disadvantages. Furthermore, there are many misconceptions about the harem, relating to Orientalist ideals and a romanticisation of the exotic. This will be achieved through a discussion around the lives of two favourite concubines Hurrem Sultan (1502 - 1558) and Nurbanu Sultan (1525-1574) both of which rose above the ranks to achieve real power and earn the love and respect of their Sultan's. SourcesHarem (Suleiman the Magnificent Documentary) | Timeline https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mc668SpyNe0 https://muze.gen.tr/muze-detay/harem

In this painting analysis we will look a the painting 'On the Way to Anacapri' by Gerda Wegener (1885-1940) a Danish artist who worked as a successful fashion illustrator. In addition to this she also created glass mosaics, erotic art and also painted. In the public consciousness she is perhaps mostly remembered for her marriage and relationship with Lili Elbe, who is one of the first recorded cases of someone undergoing gender reassignment surgery. Before her transition Lili has been posing secretly as a model for Gerda, which when revealed caused a huge scandal, leading the couple to flee to Paris, which was a more bohemian and liberal city that accepted their lifestyle. Sadly for legal reasons the marriage was dissolved but they remained close and Gerda was deeply affected by her passing away. In this episode we will explore Lili and Gerda's relationship as represented in 'On the Way to Anacapri' as well as discussing Gerda's career and versatility as an artist. 

In this episode we explore the role of the governess in 19th Century England.  Governesses were well educated young women employed by wealthy families to teach their daughters. Existing in a strange limbo, they were not considered a part of the family but were also too high status to fit in with other servants.  Due to this governesses were often lonely figures who operated outside of feminine conventions, as they were unmarried and financially independent. In this episode we delve into the day to day work of a governess and what type of women tended to fill this role.In addition, we explore the lives of some famous governesses, stereotypes and examples of governesses in art and literature, which have helped build them up as a fictional archetype. Trigger warning - there is some discussion of sexual assault Sourceshttps://www.bl.uk/romantics-and-victorians/videos/the-governesshttps://www.bl.uk/romantics-and-victorians/articles/the-figure-of-the-governesshttps://www.19thcenturyart-facos.com/artwork/governess-0https://www.mimimatthews.com/2015/06/15/the-literary-governess-depictions-in-austen-bronte-thackeray-and-heyer/https://www.mimimatthews.com/2018/02/12/the-vulnerable-victorian-governess/

In today's painting analysis we will be looking at the 1913 painting 'Self Portrait with Nude' by Laura Knight.  At the time of painting women were not allowed to paint from live models or it was generally considered vulgar, due to this her work was widely criticised for it's defiance in challenging the status quo.In this episode we will explore the context of the Edwardian era and a bit about the role of the self portrait in art history.Images Instagram - @themuseumoffemininitySourceshttps://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2013/jul/06/laura-knight-unashamed-illustratorhttps://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/dame-laura-knight-1424https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw03686/Laura-Knight-with-model-Ella-Louise-Naper-Self-Portrait

In this new episode of the Museum of Femininity we will explore the life of another female art collector, who was also an eminent political leader in Renaissance Italy.Isabella d'Este (1474-1539) was the Marchioness of Mantua, who collected a variety of Ancient sculptures, medals and artefacts which she displayed in her Studiolo. Along with collecting classical works of art she also commissioned various paintings by the most notable Old Masters of the age including Leonardo da Vinci, Perugino, Mantegna and Titian. She was a forceful character who kept meticulous records and sent hundreds of letters with detailed instructions about how her studio was to be constructed, displaying a firmness but also the ability to persuade with flattery and charm.As well as her formidable connoisseurship she showed immense political prowess and often stepped into the role of leader during times of war.Sources https://isabelladeste.web.unc.edu/profile-of-isabella-deste/http://www.italianrenaissanceresources.com/units/unit-8/essays/isabella-deste-collects/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdkbLv8vgYQ