One of my most read blogs ever was about “A Single Thread,” a narrative written by Tracy Chevalier. As I walked through an exhibit at the Baltimore Museum of Art about ten days before Christmas, I was taken back to the historical fiction book of Chevalier.
Making Her Mark is an exhibit about Women European Artists who lived from 1400 to 1800. They lived long before the era of “surplus women,” written about by Chevalier, who were primarily women widowed by war and worked for the church. All women of the era (1400 – 1800) were schooled and trained in the “domestics” and many were greatly revered in Europe for their skills which “perpetuated and conveyed power” for the Catholic Church, the nobility and for the elite.
A sewing and watercolor paint box displayed in the exhibit was highly useful for those who were multi-talented.
Other women were papermakers, print makers, painted decorative items and made silver wares, sculpture and other iconic religious items to decorate the church.
Others were book makers.
Many were visual artists whose art, hundreds of years later, are in the top art museum collections around the world.
Tapestry to make robes, drapery, kneelers and other upholstery for the holiest and lace makers were among them.
Others studied and drew botanicals many of which were often written about or mentioned in the Bible, such as the mustard seed, myrrh, hyssop, cedar, lilies and roses.
Artists, is there any form of art in which you feel you really excel? Do you focus solely on what your soul beats the strongest for?
For more information on this exquisite exhibit, visit the BMA website. The exhibit will remain hanging until January 7, 2024.
All Things Fulfilling 