The women of the Renaissance (1330-1550) were denied all political rights and were considered legally subject to their husbands. The primary role of women was that of housewife. In addition to running the household, women would help their husbands provide for the family. Peasant women worked the fields with their husbands and the wives of merchants helped run their husbands' businesses. Wealthy women were not able to avoid work. Even if they had servants, they often helped with the sewing, cooking, and entertaining. Women were not allowed to live alone. They either had to marry, live with a make relative, or join a convent. In fact, becoming a nun was the only career that women were allowed to have. Because Renaissance society placed the comfort of males above that of females, women were taught to be charming. They were taught to dress elaborately so they would be aesthetically pleasing and also reflect their husband's (or father's) social status. Pale, full-figured women were attractive in this time period. In contrast, the modern American standard of beauty is thin and tan.  Sandro Botticelli The Birth of Venus 1485  Titian Venus of Urbino 1538Follow this link to see a modern fashion model. La Bella Bona Roba "I cannot tell who loves the skeleton Of a poor marmoset, naught but bone, bone. Give me a nakedness with her clothes on. Such whose white-satin upper coat of skin, Cut upon velvet rich incarnadin, Has yet a body (and of flesh) within. Sure it is meant good husbandry in men, Who so incorporate with aery lean, To repair their sides, and get their rib again. Hard hap unto that huntsman that decrees Fat joys for all his sweat, whenas he sees, After his 'say, naught but his keeper's fees. Then Love, I beg, when next thou takest thy bow, Thy angry shafts, and dost heart-chasing go, Pass rascal deer, strike me the largest doe." --Richard Lovelace 1649 |