<and from set ideas. These ideas have not yet disappeared. You can still have to face the old argument: <"Why hasn't there been a female Picasso, Beethoven, Einstein or Balzac? Isn't it a proof that mwnwomen aren't creative?">

Those who say such a thing give evidence that they never even thought of wmnwomen's situation the past. Secluded in their father's or husband's houses, deprived of all knowledge or experience of the outside life, subject to the biological law: having 8 or 10 children to keep 3 or 4 alive... Which human being in such environment could find the time and means to develop a gift or devote to any art? Especially when no society encouraged it, or even tolerated it. Until this last Cycentury, universities were closed to wmnwomen, Art Academies, Professional training also. And for once, scientists, lawyers and the church agreed: intellectual activity wldwould be detrimental for girls. Their brains wouldn't take it and they would lose, not only their balance, but their gracefulness, their sensibility, their feminity.