Smarthistory – Portraits of Christine de Pizan in The Queen’s Manuscript

Portraits of Christine de Pizan

Artist and Context:
- Featured in Judy Chicago's feminist artwork The Dinner Party (1979).
- First professional female author from the late Middle Ages and early Renaissance.
- Portrayals that show her engaged in writing survive, indicating her active role in directing these depictions.

Historical Background:
- The manuscript dates from c. 1410–1414.
- Features several portraits of Christine set in her study, emphasizing the literary environment she inhabited.

Portrait Description:
- Depicted in a blue cotehardie, showcasing noble status.
- Her headdress is identifiable as the Attor de Gibet or horned hennin, signifying her aristocratic background.
- The blue dress, painted with costly ultramarine from lapis lazuli, reflects luxury and status.
Significance of the Study Setting:
- Christine is shown in a rounded arch of her study, with signs of literary activity (pen, book).
- A small white dog sits beside her, symbolizing loyalty.
- While the portrait may enhance her reputation, it is grounded in a historical reality of her writing space.

Historical Context:
- Christine’s writing endeavors began after the death of her husband at 25, marking her as a professional author.
- She created various works reflecting personal and societal upheaval (politics, love, war).
- One of her notable works includes One Hundred Ballades of a Lover and His Lady (c. 1402).
Previous Representations:
- Historical depictions of women writing existed (e.g., Hildegard of Bingen, Diemund), but they were rare and typically unrecognized.
- Christine's portraits contribute to a shift in representing women in intellectual roles.

Engagement with Tradition:
- Christine's representation draws upon a long-standing tradition of scholars depicted writing (e.g., St. Luke, St. Matthew).
- Contrasts historical expectations by illustrating a woman in intellectual pursuit.

Background:
- Born in Venice, moved to Paris with her father who served the French court.
- Received a high-quality humanist education that included history and literature.
- Married to Etienne du Castel, supported in her literary pursuits.
Tragedy and Transition:
- After her husband and father's unexpected deaths, she turned to writing for financial stability.
- Became the first woman in France to earn a living writing, known for her active role in manuscript production.
- Later entered a convent, continuing her literary work until her death in 1431.

Variety of Subjects:
- Wrote on religion, politics, courtly love, and military strategy, producing around 50 known manuscripts, with many more referencing her.
- Actively involved in selecting the material and images in her manuscripts, indicating her influential role as a female author.
Collaboration with Female Artists:
- Employed female artists like Anastaise to create illustrations and decorative elements in her works.
- Aimed to elevate women's artistic contributions within her manuscripts.

Depicting Authority:
- Presentation scene where Christine kneels to present her manuscript to Queen Isabeau of Bavaria, modeled after a traditional male author presentation.
- Utilizes established artistic conventions to assert her position as a legitimate author.

Engagement in Debate:
- Features a scene where Christine sits in a throne-like setting, engaging four men in a debate (disputation).
- Disputation reflects intellectual exchanges in medieval universities, marking her as an authoritative figure.
- Illustrates a critical aspect of her legacy as a contributor to intellectual discourse in her time.