We think of the Renaissance of a time of humanism, creativity and change. Women are depicted more often in the arts of this time, dressed beautifully and looking happy. Unfortunately, this was not the case for women of this era. In spite of radical changes in philosophy and religion, women remained at the bottom of the social latter. In Florence, women had no legal rights and was at the mercy of her family and later her husband. Laws were specifically written to control women, how they dressed, defining what was their personal property and enforced by notaries of the government.
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Women were basically treated like property. Their families saved money and groomed them to prepare them for marriage. If they were ugly or not marriage material they were sent to a convent to spend their lives. Women were married in their late teens. It was unwise to wait longer than that. Husbands wanted wives that could produce heirs to the family, male heirs; in particular.
In order to be married, a woman had to have a dowry. The dowry consisted of both money and personal items such as jewelry that belonged to the woman. Marriage was a business deal brokered between families. Social class, business and lineage were all reasons for a marriage to be brokered and a deal made. The groom would also bring gifts to the new bride and her family.
The groom offered the bride beautiful clothes and jewels as part of the marriage arrangement. This was done so that he could parade his wealth and success for all to see. Unfortunately, the
Church frowned upon and the government frowned upon this extravagant demonstration of material wealth.
Childbearing was a woman’s primary role. The pregnancy and birth of a child was a very special event. Gifts, special sheets, clothes were all provided for the expectant mother. Childbirth was dangerous however, most children died before they reached the age of two and many women died in the process. It was common practice for a woman to write her will before she gave birth.
Women did not have a public life, except to attend church services. They entertained in the home and often she and her husband would receive visitors in their chambers. Many portraits of women during this period are framed by a window, because they were always inside their home.
If a woman was fortunate she married into a family that treated her with kindness, respect and affection. Contessina de Medici was one such woman. She managed her family and life well, practiced charity and was consulted by her sons in matters of business. Lucrezia Tornebuoni de’Medici was also very fortunate and successful. After her husband died, she was freed by the family to pursue her own interests in business.
In art and literature, Florentine women were depicted as ideals. In their portraits they embodied virtue. Their beauty in art was also highly idealized. Florentine women were represented as chaste and quiet, like the Virgin Mary, the Catholic version of the perfect woman.
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