Johanne Anglica der Päpstin · Centre for Early Modern Visual Culture

Title: Johanne Anglica der Päpstin
Period: 1500-1550;
Geographic: Ancient Rome; Italy; The Vatican
Description: A maiden named Joan had disguised herself as a man in order to follow her lover to England while he attended school. Joan had excelled in academics and became incredibly knowledgeable while attending school. Continuing to dress as a man, Joan went to Rome and was elected to succeed as Pope, known as Pope John. No one had known she was a woman, however, she ended up having a love affair which resulted in pregnancy. This engraving depicts Joan, dressed as Pope John laying on the ground with her legs open as she gives birth to a child. The birth happened during a public procession which revealed her identity as a woman. According to Boccaccio, Pope John (Joan), was thrown into a dungeon to die as punishment for posing as a male while holding the title of Pope.
Image Creator: Joerg Breu (Engraver)
Type: Text; Woodcut Engraving
Identifier: mta:18413
Language: ger
Source Name: Ein schöne Cronica oder Hystoribuch von den fürnämlichsten Weybern [A beautiful chronicle or history book of reputable women]
Parent Collection: 1543 Stayner; 1543 Stayner
Image: mta_18413_OBJ.jpg
Collection: Early Modern Women
Subject: Pope Joan; Pope John; Important Women; Famous Women; Popes