Escape of Queen Maude

by Roxana Sinex

Print Size: 13"in x 10" in

Warrior Women Series

Queen Maude (1102-1167), heir to the throne of Henry I of England, fought her cousin Stephen for 30 years over who would rule. There is a story about an episode during their struggles that tells of Stephen's capture of Maude and subsequent imprisonment in one of his towers. Apparently, Maude was able to develop an escape plan with her loyal followers which included her successful escape during a snow storm by tying sheets together to make a rope for her to climb down from her tower room wearing white to a waiting white horse to then flee without being seen by the sentries.

Eventually, Stephen and Maude were to come to an agreement as to who would rule. Stephen was to follow Henry I as king but the heir to his throne would be Maude's son, who would rule as Henry II of England.

For a number of years I regularly attended a live nude model class at our local art center.  My technique was to first make a black and white charcoal drawing on toned paper and then use that drawing along with the live model to create an oil painting.

One day, the model was posed standing proudly with a large dowel that she held like a spear.  In my mind, I could see her as an Amazon warrior, standing guard on a bluff looking over her lands.  I researched Amazonian legends focusing on one of their great queens, Penthesilia, and incorporated her supposed clothing, weapons and background into my painting.  I had so much fun doing this that I began researching historic women of power, discovering many fascinating, yet mostly unknown, strong and influential female leaders of the past.  This body of work became my "Warrior Women" series and are all created with this nude-to-warrior woman concept.

- Roxana Sinex Art

Warrior Women Series

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