Gender, Art and Governance: Artistic Patronage Strategies of Female Rulers in The Renaissance
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54097/4cr3pr84Keywords:
Renaissance, female monarchs, patronage of the arts, Elizabeth I.Abstract
During the Renaissance, female rulers in Western Europe, operating within a traditional patriarchal society, faced numerous constraints when engaging in political affairs. To consolidate their rule and articulate political agendas, they frequently employed artistic patronage as an unconventional instrument of power. Through the interplay of art and politics, these female rulers successfully linked their personal image to monarchical authority and national interests. This enabled them to circumvent gender constraints through a circumspect strategy aligned with the era's context, thereby realising their political objectives. This paper examines the patronage practices of Elizabeth I, Kristina Augusta, and Catherine de' Medici, analysing their underlying political motivations to reveal art's profound role in power construction.
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