A new way of thinking. The construction of the Modern Age 6 Sometimes ideas have the power to change the world . This is what happened at the end of the 15th centur y when humanism demonstrated a new way of looking at and understanding reality. Renaissance artists quickly began to ref lect these ideas in their work. Human beings were placed at the centre of ever ything. Society began to question some of the principles that were generally accepted until then . However, the role of women was still confined to the home by followers of humanism. Despite this, women were af fected by the new spirit of transformation that surrounded them. L E T ' S G E T S TA R T E D Look at the painting of Queen Elizabeth I of England. What elements of the painting show that she was a powerful person? Look at the drawing on the next page. Which women are highlighted? What were their professions? Do you think it was easy for them to carry out their work at that time? Why or why not? Why do you think the rest of the women in the drawing are not highlighted? What can you say about them? Queen Elizabeth I (1558-1603), by George Gower L E A R N I N G S I T UAT I O N 148
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