St. Genevieve 1625 - 1716

Gilles Rousselet created this engraving of St. Genevieve, the patron saint of Paris, sometime between 1614 and 1686. The image depicts Genevieve holding a staff and a book. Rousselet lived in a time of strict social and religious norms, where gender roles were clearly defined. Genevieve, as a female saint, represents a unique figure of power within this context. While she embodies traditional virtues of piety and purity, she also defies the expectations of female dependence by taking on a leadership role. The image prompts us to consider the complexities of female identity in the 17th century, where women were often relegated to the domestic sphere but could also achieve significant influence through religious authority. The print serves as a reminder of the historical and ongoing negotiations between traditional representations and alternative narratives of female identity and agency.