Gallery of Inspiration

This Italian painting on a book cover from 1343 looks like it's showing women reading and buying books.

An Italian book cover from 1343 appears to show women reading and buying books.

This German stained glass window, circa 1290, shows a Black Mary, or "Virgin of the Annunciation."

This German stained glass window, circa 1290, shows a Black Mary, or "Virgin of the Annunciation."

These paintings by Maître de Luçon are part of an illuminated manuscript of comedies, Térence des ducs, France 1412.

This painting from Italy, circa 1658, was called “Four Women Making Music,” by Luca Giordano. Medieval women knew how to have fun. Apparently, they were also reading notes, playing instruments and dazzling crowds. Can I see more of this in period movies, please?

Annunciation to Zechariah, from an Ethiopian Bible (c. 1700), British Library. For some reason, thousands of Ethiopian manuscripts are contained in British and American collections.

In this Parisian window, circa 1245, “A Vision of Saint Germain,” an unknown monk receives holy inspiration from the saint in his dreams.

The Black Madonna of Rocamadour, France, circa 1100, has been considered the holiest relic of this holy pilgrimage site for almost a thousand years.

With her poetic masterpiece, Goblin Market, Christina Rossetti continued a long heritage of women writing fairy tales about women. Her brother, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, drew this beautiful image in 1862.