A self-portrait of an Old Polish lady

Abstract

Diverging roles of men and women in the Old Polish society did not result from biological differences alone. In the male eyes, a woman was the weaker part of the human species, not only in the physical or psychological sense, but also weaker intellectually, hence requiring constant care and custody. It seems nevertheless that back then women were perfectly able to take care of their own lives. In the face of adversity or situations they had been hitherto unfamiliar with, women were able to cope no worse than men, an example of which was the fact that they ran manors in the absence of their spouses, who constantly went to war in the 17th century. Despite having been raised in the spirit of submission and obedience, ladies demonstrated a lot of resoluteness, willpower and determination. At the same time they did not lose their most beautiful part: sensitivity to the sacred, gentleness, the ability to love and to feel for others, to care for children and servants. Those were real women, who could make proper use of the influence they had on the world of men, while seemingly remaining in their shadows.