The Court Ladies’ Role in the Transmission of Artistic Models. Some Cases in the Kingdom of León in the 12th Century

Abstract

[EN] The concern to get to know women’s role in the world of art has revealed the importance of female patronage, particularly in court environments. Queens consort could easily afford to commission sumptuous projects and, besides, had much more time than their husbands to develop literary interests and to enrich themselves in different fields. They were, therefore, potential promoters or artists’ clients. In most cases, royal matrimonies used to imply that the bride moved from her country of origin to her husband’s, and was accompanied by a large entourage carrying her belongings or objects she wanted to keep next to her in her new home. Together with her there could arrive luxury metal or ivory objects, illuminated books, fabrics, etc., and even artists.