The question that always becomes the major focus when talking about women in art is “why have there not been many major female artists?” With a question like this, there are a variety of different answers that could be used to explain why this occurrence has happened. One main argument that could be used is the fact that artistic tools, such as different paints, brushes, and other types of media, have been gendered. These materials are nothing other than simple inanimate objects but have been forced to fit an idealism of masculinity. This idea of masculinity had become a practice which had excluded nearly all acknowledgement of art being created by women, if a woman was ever able to have the opportunity to create art on her own accord. If a …show more content…
One view on the matter was given by American art historian, Linda Nochlin. Nochlin believed that “those who have privileges inevitably hold on to them, and hold tight, no matter how marginal the advantage involved, until compelled to bow to superior power of one sort or another” (Nochlin 152). This statement is based off of the idea that in the arts, men throughout history have been trying to maintain their privilege through the use of undermining the potential women have to create fine art and not acknowledging those who have the ability to create fine art. This could be a plausible argument to why there have been no major female artists, considering at a point in time, women were not allowed to produce any art themselves or learn the skills necessary to create art. The abundance of art, created by those women who had the privilege of making art, was never acknowledged because the art created by women was always perceived to have a lower quality compared to the higher quality supplied when the artwork was created by a man. Preventing women from being able to participate in art and not acknowledging those women who did participate in art as a profession would allow for men to maintain the privilege they have to the
Women are restricted or thought lower than men because of gender roles. They could be adored and treasured as much as they want, but that does not change the fact that they are still limited to only so many options. Women are just as brilliant and capable as men are, however they are not given the opportunity to flaunt these feats. It is because women are also a part of this world, they should be recognized what who they truly are not what they are just expected to be. Humankind must be aware that females can do just about anything a man can do, and they can do more than just spend hours in the kitchen.
During the 15th-19th centuries, art was considered to be a subject of superiority and was generally created by men, for the pleasure of other men to view. Women, typically, were not allowed to view art, and were not allowed to create it unless it was in the sphere of her home, and in those cases their art was not to be shared.
Art could be displayed in many different forms; through photography, zines, poetry, or even a scrapbook. There are many inspirational women artists throughout history, including famous women artists such Artemisia Gentileschi and Georgia O’Keeffe. When searching for famous female artists that stood out to me, I found Frida Kahlo, and Barbara Kruger. Two very contrasting type of artists, though both extremely artistic. Both of these artists are known to be feminists, and displayed their issues through painting and photography. Frida Kahlo and Barbara Kruger’s social and historical significance will be discussed.
Prior to the 20th century, female artists were the minority members of the art world (Montfort). They lacked formal training and therefore were not taken seriously. If they did paint, it was generally assumed they had a relative who was a relatively well known male painter. Women usually worked with still lifes and miniatures which were the “lowest” in the hierarchy of genres, bible scenes, history, and mythological paintings being at the top (Montfort). To be able to paint the more respected genres, one had to have experience studying anatomy and drawing the male nude, both activities considered t...
Women no longer have to follow a given path of a domesticated life lived behind her husband’s pant cuff. So one would wonder why the increase in women composers has not happened as did in other areas such as literature and the visual arts. According to Kerry Andrew of theguardian.com, there is a decline in confidence in teenage girls to compose and the issue must be addressed with education and “if girls are presented with examples of successful female creators in all genres, they might view composition as a viable profession for themselves.” The promotion of composition as a profession and the use of women examples in curriculum will serve to foster this change.
Across Europe, between 1400 and 1650, there were women present in all major styles of time. They worked along side of great artists and were developing new techniques and styles. Women also played a very important role in the Renaissance. Although not as well documented as their male counterparts, women worked along with the other great masters, were just as innovating, and were key in developing new techniques.
Female composers, all through countries, have committed their selves to all types of music. From song-writing to performing, the diversity in genre of music where women have contributed is enormous. Women, in different cultures, couldn’t compose music due to motherly duties, restriction for women, village women commitments and spiritual beliefs. “In the middle ages, St. Paul took the bible scripture, Timothy (2:11-12), which states “Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence;” meaning to not let women compose music, especially religious music.” (Green 17) Reading Black Women Composers: a Genesis by Mildred Denby Green helped keep diversity in the research of women composers. There were also women who came from families that were already professional composers in the nineteenth century, such as fathers, brothers and husbands. (Green 22) Opera is one of the most competitive and public of all musical genres but that didn’t stop Isabella de Charriere (1740-1805). Charriere wrote nine operas between 1784 and 1793. (Letzter, Adelson 2) Unfortunately, none of her operas were performed. In the first fifth years of opera in France (1670-1720), only seven works by three women are known. That number increased as time went on. As a total, there are hundreds of thousands of women composers from far and near. In recent time, women have slowly but surely have more support with composing music. Recognition is what women strived to gain while composing and possibly performing. Throughout centuries, women have played a tremendous role in music composing, despite their resistance to the public.
Linda Nochlin in her article, “Why Have There Been No Great Women Artists?” discusses the various aspects to this issue and believes that even though the legal battles of the feminist movement provided formal legal equality to women, too often, it does not ensure substantive equalities. The explanations to this problem can cover the spectrum from sexism to feminism. Nochlin rightly believes that perhaps, the true answer lies in the institutional problems that plague our society. As Nochlin points out, “as late as 1893, lady students were not admitted to life drawing at the Royal Academy in London, and even when they were, after that date, the model had to be partially draped.” The very fact that women artists were denied the right to paint
This lack of respect and no real opportunity to interact intellectually with this Patriarchy gave the patrons and artists the fire to build their own way of having discussions and interactions with others through their salons in their home during the 18th century. The Salons were where Rococo art became well known and wanted throughout the elite. This woman dominated style helped create an opportunity, for many years after, for women to gain a sort of freedom that has been a struggle for them achieve.
In the course of human events, women have been subjected to being seen as far less superior than men. Women through most of history have never been seen as equals to men and seen as pitiful and slave like, but women have tried to change the views of society and become equal. Feminist art was a major contributor in helping women fight these societal views during the feminist movement. Many talented women artist banded together during the 1960-1970s to be able fight the societal view as a woman. Their art was sometimes not accepted by society for exploring subjects that were not accepted for that time. They fought to make their topics they talked about socially accepted. Artists such as Judy Chicago, Barbara Kruger, and guerilla girls helped spark and shaped the feminist art movement by
Essay Linda Nochlin’s “Why Have There Been No Great Women Artists” is a sobering reminder of how seemingly absent women are in the art scene. I agree with most of what Linda Nochlin has said in concept, especially her points on the feminist reaction to the claim that “there are no great female artists” and how feminists can point out many talented female artists however are hard pressed to name great ones. Although I agree with the point she is aiming to convey I disagree with with the wording used in Nochlin’s statement, “The fact of the matter is that there have been no supremely great women artists … there have been many interesting and very good ones who remain insufficiently investigated or appreciated” (Nocklin) as I believe fame and recognition does not equate necessarily
One of the most powerful nuances of any writing is the dialogue within the story. In literature, it is all too often that characters live only in the jaded voice of the author and never truly develop as their own, or are not strongly opinionated in a manner which contrasts the opinions of the writer. It is also unfortunately true that the women depicted in most male-authored literature do not often sound realistic, or how most women one would speak to in the course of the day tend to sound. All too often, women are depicted on a lower level of speech than men. For instance, Dickens and Arthur Miller both apparently subscribed to this notion, as the women in their stories were usually more passive, and not as elaborate as men in their speech, however, James Joyce did not see things in the same light. The most developed female character in Joyces A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, is one who speaks with dignity, passion, and the female tact which is all too often ignored in the characters of women. Joyce's Dante Riordan's words and thoughts are true to those of literate twentieth century women.
Social Construction of Gender is a process, stratification system and structure. The day to day interactions emphasize gender as opposites. Take for instance, conversations, formalities of daily life, sayings, and so on. The social construction of gender is created through social interaction – through the things we do and say with other people. This means that gender it is not a fixed or inherent fact, but instead it varies across time and place.
In today’s society, the meaning of femininity and masculinity vary. The word femininity was understood as the complete opposite of masculinity. When you hear the word masculine the first word that comes to mind is “man.” Men are thought to be dominate, tough, and authority figures. Women are defined as feminine.
Outline and assess the view that patriarchy is the main cause of gender inequality (40 marks)