Weibermacht: Power of Women

Women have a special role in our collection. We have assembled in this selection some w...

Weibermacht: Power of Women

Women have a special role in our collection. We have assembled in this selection some works that refer to the Weibermacht or Power of Women, a medieval and Renaissance artistic and literary topos that shows heroic or wise men dominated by women, presenting an admonitory inversion of the male-dominated sexual hierarchy and warning of the danger that this transposition of roles could suppose for men. Women perfidious and castrators who use their charms to overthrow the virility of their victim, such as Delilah or Salome. Others as Susanna, Dido or Lucretia, who become an example for preserving even with their death, chastity, their most precious virtue. Strong women as Judith or Tomyris, who uses their sex appeal to defeat the enemy. These series had a special fascination and were highly demanded. As models to follow or to avoid, these women interpreted by men reflect ambivalent feelings of fear and attraction.