Elizabeth Jacquet focused her Final Document on the lesser-known
civilization of the Etruscans, contemporaries of the ancient Greeks and
Romans. Through careful examination of the artifacts these people left
behind in burial chambers, Jacquet seeks to debunk the slanderous claims
made by their Roman enemies. One of the most fascinating aspects of
the Etruscan culture that Jacquet reveals is the equity between men and
women. Iconography in the hand mirrors, for example, honors women as
brides, wives, and mothers. Some reflect men and women reading together
or competing as equals in games. One mirror shows a man and a woman
playing a board game wherein the inscription reads “I’m going to beat
you” above the woman, and “I do believe you are” carved above the man.
Based on this and other iconography, Jacquet asserts that the hand
mirrors are “Not just a tool, but a gift for a bride and a dedication to
the deceased. The uniquely Etruscan bronze hand mirror demonstrated the
power and equality of Etruscan women."
The M.A. degree from UI&U has not only enhanced Jacquet’s career as a
history teacher, it has also given her the courage to start a high
school summer program in France, called "L'Atelier au Chateau," with her
husband. Although the curriculum emphasizes the fine-arts, creative and
scholastic thinking are intertwined in each lesson. “I believe that my
work at Union has given me the edge to stand behind such scholastic and
artistic pursuits, and to confidently represent our program as a
professional and scholar,” explained Jacquet enthusiastically. For more
information, view their website at drawinginfrance.com.
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