The representation of women in art is a passionate subject!
“Women” have always been the most popular subjects by Artists in the History of art. However, Woman has not always been admitted into the artistic field as an “artist” in her own right.
Very often represented as a heroine during Prehistory and Antiquity, it was quite late that woman rose to the rank of creative artist equal to man. The woman before becoming an artist was first born as the favorite model of artists. Since antiquity, it has symbolized desire, dreams and is a privileged aesthetic model.
Women have always been the subjects of the greatest works of art (The Birth of Venus, The Mona Lisa, The Odalisque, etc.), but they have also been talented artists in different eras. The study of women’s art highlights the creativity and achievements of women in sometimes hostile contexts. Contexts where women did not have access to education and/or the approval of patrons. Interest in the subject of women in art has varied over time. Historians and researchers began to take an interest in it in a more systematic way during the 20th century. The feminist movements of the 1960s and 1970s helped to highlight the question of the representation of women and their representativeness in art.
We can distinguish several major eras in the study of the representation of women in art. In ancient societies, women were often depicted in a mythological context. They embodied deities or heroines, often symbols of fertility. In the Middle Ages, representations of women were often linked to the Christian religion with figures such as the Virgin Mary, pure, protective and nourishing. The Renaissance marks a turning point with the emergence of individual portraits of women. They were generally idealized according to the beauty standards of the time. In modern times, as time has progressed, artists have begun to depict women in more realistic ways, reflecting social and cultural developments.
The place of women in art, a feminist fight.
Art reflects the culture and history of each era. Studying the representation of women in art offers us valuable insights into how women were perceived, treated and their role in society during different periods of history. Art and paintings from the period also show us how gender norms and roles evolved over time. It helps us understand the progress made in gender equality as well as the remaining challenges.
By analyzing the way women have been represented in art history throughout the centuries, feminists can denounce and deconstruct gender stereotypes that have been perpetuated through art. The latter strive to highlight the work of women artists who have been neglected by art history, thus restoring an important part of female creativity. And by examining imbalances in artistic representation, they can point out persistent gender inequalities and advocate for change in the way women are perceived and celebrated. As for the representation of women in Contemporary Art, History is being written at this very moment but I don't think I'm taking too many risks by saying that it is multiple, plural, changing, complex, the image once again of our society. Below is a personal and non-exhaustive proposal for the representation of Women in the History of Contemporary Art.
Complete catalog of the exhibition “Women in contemporary art”.
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