Cancer 

This is an illustration of "Cancer" made around 1200 by Claricia, a female illuminator working in a South German monastery. During the medieval period, women's access to education and artistic training was often limited, typically confined to religious settings. Claricia's calendar page reflects both the cosmological beliefs of the time and her own identity as a woman in a monastic order. The illustration, with its careful detailing and symbolic representation of the zodiac sign, gives us insight into the knowledge and artistic skill of women within these communities, who were often overlooked in historical accounts. Consider how the crab, a symbol of the zodiac sign Cancer, is rendered. It is a blend of observation and imagination. Claricia's image represents her unique perspective and creative contribution within a male-dominated society. This artwork invites us to reflect on the complex interplay between gender, religion, and artistic expression in the Middle Ages.