Representations of Women

The Civil War was of particular significance for women. The extraordinary circumstances that Spanish society faced during the conflict were decisive in the emergence of new roles for them. The activity of the female population proved essential in certain aspects of the war on both sides of the front line, and the visual arts offered a comprehensive, varied, and often artificial portrayal of women’s involvement. They were presented as role models while simultaneously projecting a particular female archetype, always aligned with each side’s ideals. They were, therefore, propaganda-driven images disseminated through posters, illustrations, and photographs in publications.

In addition to the image of women as victims of war (the refugee and the dead), which featured prominently in countless scenes of bombings and evacuations and was used to denounce the atrocities of war and awaken public consciousness, perhaps the figure of the miliciana is the first that comes to mind. Indeed, the image of this female Republican fighter was widely disseminated and, despite her limited presence on the front lines, the glorious miliciana became a symbol of the antifascist struggle and a rallying figure for male mobilization. Naturally, on the rebel side, representations of milicianas were anything but heroic; they were portrayed as evil and devoid of femininity.

In reality, women became essential in the rear guard, where they took on jobs that had previously been reserved for men, and where tasks traditionally confined to the female domestic sphere—such as caregiving and sewing—assumed a new dimension as they were put in service of the war effort and society. As a result, images proliferated depicting women industrial workers, dressed in laborers' clothing (on the Republican side), or women in the countryside, working hard to maintain the agricultural production needed to supply the population. Nurses and seamstresses were shown working with dedication for the common cause, whatever their personal convictions might have been.

Although it was the product of extreme circumstances, the particular situation of the female population during the war represented an opportunity for social advancement for women. The new roles they took on demonstrated their ability to work outside the home and likely fueled their aspirations for education, professional development, and autonomy. Images like the one in this poster by Juana Francisca Rubio—featuring several of the female stereotypes discussed—are clear evidence that women were increasingly aware of their rights, and the Civil War provided them with a favorable moment to push forward their demands.

IEG