Why were male composers more famous than female composers?

Answer 1

This question is very subjective, and so many of the reasons that male artists are considered more famous can be traced to personal opinions of fame. There are some essays in the related links section which can help you explore your take on whether or not gender plays into artist popularity.

Some reasons that male artists are more famous than female:

• There are more male artists. Before art schools began, young children would learn by becoming an apprentice. Apprenticeship meant living with and learning from an artist with an established reputation. It was not socially acceptable for women to leave their homes adn live with a male artist, so most western female artists prior to the 1800s learned from their fathers. Otherwise they weren't given the opportunity to learn the skill.

Answer 2

Because they were men, and their work was considered to be "better".

When it comes to math & music, the difference between male and female brains is quite significant. However, a more likely answer lies with the traditions and culture of the time. Women were simply not permitted such creative outlets, except for personal amusement within their own homes. For example, Mozart's sister (popularly known as Nannerl) is regarded to have been as gifted as her younger brother, but once she reached her mid-teen years and marriageable age, she was not permitted by her father to perform with her brother for the courts any longer. He believed that fame and fortune lay with young Wolfgang alone, and Nannerl was expected to stay at home and follow more "womanly" pursuits. Her creativity and talent was stifled, and this was common among the women of that time.

Answer 3

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Because throughout history, in every society, men have competed for the high-visibility, high-power positions in their society, and women almost never have. Another way to say that is "there has never been a matriarchal society anywhere".

Since men have almost always won competitions for military, political and scientific achievement, far more men became famous ... and infamous.

This is not to say women have usually been SATISFIED with no being in high status positions, just that they have done next to nothing about changing that by actually competing.

Answer 4

It is a story of unequal opportunities.