SS. Peter and Paul 

This is a medieval illumination of Saints Peter and Paul, made circa 1200 by Claricia, a female artist active in a South German monastery. The two saints appear together frequently in medieval art, representing the twin pillars of the early Church. It's likely this image served as a devotional aid, perhaps in a prayer book. What makes it especially interesting is that it was made by a woman, within the confines of a religious order. We know that monastic communities often functioned as centers of artistic production, but the role of women artists in this period is only beginning to be understood. The image is striking for its bright colors and simplified forms. Peter, holding keys, signifies his role as the gatekeeper of Heaven. Paul gestures in a way that is likely intended to convey his authority as an apostle. But how does the fact that this image was produced in a monastic setting, by a woman, change our interpretation of it? To better understand this artwork, one can look at the cultural and religious norms of the time, the history of monasticism, and the role of women in religious institutions. We might also compare it to other images of the same subject from the same period.