If we start from a neutral position, what evidence is there that the author was male? Do all the little nymphs indicate that the artist is masculine because of their general nuditly? It can be seen either way.
On the other hand, it has been too easy to presume that everything is of masculine origins, and anything potentially feminine has to be proven thrice over. The C-14 dates are clearly coincident with an era of rising feminine empowerment exemplified by everything from Christine de Pisa to Colette of Corbie, from Melusine to the Woman Clothed in the Sun and Standing on the Moon, to the rise of Mariology. And after the French defeat at Agincourt, there were fewer men left to rule. There is the possibility of female artists and scribes who could make a book.
The illustration above still demonstrates an image where size is determined by status. So all the smaller, nubile figures are not children, but souls - as you say later. All souls are beautiful, young and blonde. What is the correct Latin: Are the 'anima'? Therefore, it seems more likely to me that this is a part of the "cultural background" being represented, rather than something intended to specify the artist's gender. And that cultural background applies to the VMs. It is something that clearly would be modified by gender, but convincing evidence in the VMs is still lacking.
On the other hand, it has been too easy to presume that everything is of masculine origins, and anything potentially feminine has to be proven thrice over. The C-14 dates are clearly coincident with an era of rising feminine empowerment exemplified by everything from Christine de Pisa to Colette of Corbie, from Melusine to the Woman Clothed in the Sun and Standing on the Moon, to the rise of Mariology. And after the French defeat at Agincourt, there were fewer men left to rule. There is the possibility of female artists and scribes who could make a book.
The illustration above still demonstrates an image where size is determined by status. So all the smaller, nubile figures are not children, but souls - as you say later. All souls are beautiful, young and blonde. What is the correct Latin: Are the 'anima'? Therefore, it seems more likely to me that this is a part of the "cultural background" being represented, rather than something intended to specify the artist's gender. And that cultural background applies to the VMs. It is something that clearly would be modified by gender, but convincing evidence in the VMs is still lacking.