Representations of 18th and 19th century Female Autonomy

During the 18th and 19th century women were either categorized and or depicted as angels or immoral beings. Their categorization depended on how well they adhered to their gender roles, specifically in the domestic realm. Those women who deviated from such conventional norms and traditions were harshly criticized and in some instanced ostracized.

This exhibit focuses on the different representation of female autonomy and focuses on specific women of this time period. It was not common to see independent and powerful women during this time period because of the many impediments that existed in the law and in society that made it extremely hard to do so. The women alluded in this exhibit were an exception to such impediments. Some women had to work much harder than other women to achieve that same independence because some were born less wealthy and hence that created a bigger roadblock. Nevertheless, though all of these women were highly criticized by their society, they somehow managed to thrive against all odds.