Virgin and Child enthroned 

"Virgin and Child Enthroned" was made around 1200 by Claricia, a female artist whose precise dates of birth and death remain unknown. Consider the unique position Claricia occupied, working within a monastic environment that both nurtured and restricted female expression. This image challenges the traditionally male-dominated artistic sphere of the medieval period. It presents a tender portrayal of the Virgin Mary and the infant Jesus. The choice to depict Mary enthroned suggests a powerful, almost queen-like status. Yet, it is also a very human depiction of mother and child. The intimacy of their embrace invites an emotional connection, offering a softer interpretation of religious icons that were commonly used at the time. Claricia's work offers a glimpse into the complex negotiation of gender and identity in the Middle Ages, reminding us of the women whose voices and visions have often been marginalized in historical narratives.