Woman Teaching Geometry

 

Image of teaching geometry
 
 

About the Source

Watched by a group of students, a lady uses a compass to measure distances on a diagram. In her hand she holds a set square, an implement for testing or drawing right angles. It is unusual to see women represented as teachers, particularly when the students appear to be monks.

This is an illuminated intial from a French medieval manuscript, a Latin translation of the Euclid's 'Elements' ( a Greek philosophical work) by Adelard of Bath. It was produced in Paris between 1309 and 1316.

Taken from: Euclid's 'Elements'
Author / Creator: Adelard of Bath (translator)
Publisher: not applicable
Date: 1309-1316
Copyright:  By permission of the British Library Board
Shelfmark: Burney MS 275 f.293