COLLECTION NAME:
Graduate Thesis Collection
Record
Title:
Hildegard von Bingen: The Problems of Discovering a Feminist Role Model
Creator:
Prechter, Caroline Emily
Subject:
Thesis (M.A.) -- Art History
Subject:
Savannah College of Art and Design -- Department of Art History
Rights:
Copyright is retained by the authors or artists of items in this collection, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
Abstract:
The thesis focuses on the problems feminists face when ascribing the title of “role model”
to historical figures. Contemporary Feminist artist Judy Chicago aimed to reform the role of
women in what she felt to be a male-dominated world with the creation of The Dinner Party
(1974-79), an installation symbolizing the over-looked female figures of Western History.
Chicago’s goal was to essentially unearth female role models for modern day women. As one of
the intended role models, the medieval mystic Hildegard von Bingen was given a prominent spot
in The Dinner Party. Hildegard also lived in a male-dominated world, and received her fame
from her exceptional abilities as a woman within the patriarchal Church. The aim of this thesis is
to argue that by placing Hildegard into a contemporary feminist art piece, she consequently takes
on the role of a proto-feminist. Through the examination of Hildegard’s life achievements, her
manuscripts and her culture, this thesis will argue that Hildegard was not a feminist but rather an
unintentional role model for modern day women.
to historical figures. Contemporary Feminist artist Judy Chicago aimed to reform the role of
women in what she felt to be a male-dominated world with the creation of The Dinner Party
(1974-79), an installation symbolizing the over-looked female figures of Western History.
Chicago’s goal was to essentially unearth female role models for modern day women. As one of
the intended role models, the medieval mystic Hildegard von Bingen was given a prominent spot
in The Dinner Party. Hildegard also lived in a male-dominated world, and received her fame
from her exceptional abilities as a woman within the patriarchal Church. The aim of this thesis is
to argue that by placing Hildegard into a contemporary feminist art piece, she consequently takes
on the role of a proto-feminist. Through the examination of Hildegard’s life achievements, her
manuscripts and her culture, this thesis will argue that Hildegard was not a feminist but rather an
unintentional role model for modern day women.
Publisher:
Savannah, Georgia : Savannah College of Art and Design
Date:
2013-05
Format:
PDF : 39 p. : ill