The records of women artists in the 9th - 13th centuries are filled with talented nuns from Germany. Diemud, Clarica, Gisela of Kerzenbroeck and Guda are just a few. Okay, then there was Hildegard von Bingen, who is undoubtedly in a class by her self. They had a lot in common. Most were from wealthy, if not noble families. In many cases they began their service at a young age. These women were able to gain education and livelyhood by joining the church, coincidentally being able to lead a life more of their choosing. For now I'll share a bit about Diemud and Guda.
Diemud/Diemudis/Diemoth. Most of what is known about Diemud
is based on tradition. She is thought to have been born of a noble Bavarian or
Swabian family in 1057. Diemud entered the Wessobrunn monastery as an adult; her
handwriting shows evidence of professional training. Some suggest that Diemud
came to Wessobrunn after an active career as a professional scribe. Her
knowledge of Latin indicates that she was educated at an ecclesiastical
institute, probably a monastery elsewhere in Germany.
After a long period of severe probation in the nunnery Diemud
obtained permission to live the life of a recluse. She had herself enclosed in
a cell adjoining the church, where she spent the remainder of her life in
prayer and in transcribing valuable books.
A 15th century historian wrote that Diemud was an active scribe and the amount of work she produced “exceeded what could be done by several men.” By her own writings, we know that she transcribed 45 major works. She was fairly well known in her lifetime; her works fetching high prices on the open market and were often given as gifts to important church officials. She created ‘a Missal with Gradual and Sequences’ that went to the Bishop if Trier, and a ‘book of Offices with the Baptismal Service’ that was given to the bishop of Ausburg. (As of this writing I have not been able to locate copies of her illustrations, even though they reportedly still exist.)
A 15th century historian wrote that Diemud was an active scribe and the amount of work she produced “exceeded what could be done by several men.” By her own writings, we know that she transcribed 45 major works. She was fairly well known in her lifetime; her works fetching high prices on the open market and were often given as gifts to important church officials. She created ‘a Missal with Gradual and Sequences’ that went to the Bishop if Trier, and a ‘book of Offices with the Baptismal Service’ that was given to the bishop of Ausburg. (As of this writing I have not been able to locate copies of her illustrations, even though they reportedly still exist.)
So, what do we know about Diemud? She was well
educated, very talented, left a large body of work behind and made a name for
herself in a male dominated occupation. Not a bad legacy to leave behind!
Guda. Guda was truly a bad-ass. We only know her today because she had the audacity to paint a self portrait of herself into one of her illuminations - and to sign it! along side she wrote, "Guda, a sinner, wrote and painted this book.” She is believed to be the first woman to sign her work.
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Guda. Guda was truly a bad-ass. We only know her today because she had the audacity to paint a self portrait of herself into one of her illuminations - and to sign it! along side she wrote, "Guda, a sinner, wrote and painted this book.” She is believed to be the first woman to sign her work.
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| Guda's self-portrait in an initial letter in a Homeliary (now in the Frankfurt am Main, Staatsbibliothek) |
Cyrus, Cynthia J. The Scribes For Women's Convents in Late Medieval Germany
Eckenstein, Lina. Woman under Monasticism
Ott, M. (1908). Diemoth. In The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Retrieved August 9, 2019 from New Advent: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04785c.htm
Chicago, Judy. The Dinner Party: Restoring Women to History
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