A Woman to Know: Christine de Pizan
A person whose head is bowed and whose eyes are heavy cannot look at the light. — Christine de Pizan
(image via Wikimedia Commons)
I love the caption on the photo above: "Christine de Pizan, lecturing men."
Christine's most famous work, "City of Ladies," is regarded as one of the first feminist texts in Western history. Published in 1405, the book imagines different notable women from early history as individual bricks constructing the titular "City of Ladies." The book was a success among male and (the then very few) female readers alike. Wealthy patrons flocked to her work, and Christine was able to support herself and her family from her writing, until her death in 1430.
Add to your library list:
The Book of the City of Ladies (Christine de Pizan)
The Writings of Christine de Pizan (Christine de Pizan)
Feminism: The Essential Historical Writing (Miriam Schneir)
Read more:
Books of the Times: Famous Women of Myth and History (The New York Times)
In the 15th century, men read Christine de Pizan (Boston College Magazine)
The Dinner Party: Christine de Pisan (The Brooklyn Museum)
Was Christine de Pizan a feminist? (Pace University)
Christine de Pizan (Kings College)
Hear more:
Christine de Pizan (BBC Radio 4)
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