Studying the roles of Women through the eyes of art where women are often one or the other: the doormat, or the goddess. The changes took place in social history that altered or enhanced the roles of women, artists have also depicted those changes through their paintings but the depiction of women throughout the history of art is an intentional mischaracterization in a very discreet stereotypical way. From rags, riches, and nudity we are able to see the various ways women are viewed. The history of art uses women to show their subjective importance as they have evolved, but it seems in art there are very few options. In class, we have looked at paintings of Olympia and Venus and compared their dispositions. Although the paintings were slightly similar aesthetically we know that Olympia is a prostitute while Venus is seen as a goddess. If this was unbeknownst to us, we could easily reverse their roles. In the images that follow, you will see an eclectic view of women from (year) to (year). Despite their portrayal through art we still see this strong, beautiful, unstoppable female she we call the Wonder Woman because the role of women are not restricted to be one or the other. We will bring out the various charismas of women through those few options of art.
Figure Group of an Abduction of Women, Melchior Barthel, 1670 - 1672, From the collection of: Green Vault, Dresden State Art Museums
If it weren’t for the title, at first glance this piece appears to be helpful and graceful. The figure holding her looks like he is dancing and simply lifting her. The figure below looks like he is willing to catch her if she falls. The title completely juxtaposes how this piece comes across which made this extremely interesting. It portrays women to be foolish. She has landed in the wrong arms; maybe she trusted these people, maybe she had never met them. Regardless of her story, she took the bait
In this painting the woman is holding the ribbons that are attached to a pearl necklace while looking at a small mirror hanging from the wall. There is light coming in from the window in front of her which gives a bright view as if that is the spotlight on her, the light is also covering the wall. It is a very bright painting. She is standing behind a table. There is a dark or black cloth on top of that table and also a chair beside her. Her clothing and including the necklace indicates that she might be wealthy. She has red ribbon on her hair, wearing yellow coat or jacket. This painting reminds about another painting called “Woman holding a Balance”. In both painting the woman is concentrating in one subject.
No Woman, No Cry, Chris Ofili, 1998, From the collection of: Tate Britain
No woman no Cry, shows a woman as a shattered glass, she's unhappy with no other option than to, cry. This woman shows an emotional African American with intense racial features. This stereotypical depiction of a woman while she is crying is in close relation to showing her as an emotional basket case. As she cries and tears roll down, we see something is wrong, emotional turmoil leaking through the image. The depiction of this woman is shown as weak and unstable as a large amount of her confidence is lost. Her pain and emotion has her confined, stuck in prison like environment. Clearly her emotions are wining, as she inhabits and adapts to what she feeling. The image to the artist Chris Offli is a woman in mourning of her son’s death a brutal murder. The first representation that comes to mind, is of a woman who is brittle and emotionally detached with no signs of her being a mother in morning but you get that just because I am a woman sense(I can cry).
Red Dress, Mikalojus Povilas Vilutis, 1974, From the collection of: MO Museum / MO muziejus
Women can be considered and easily compared to as an animal, as animalistic creatures suggest impulsive behaviors or in jungle like settings. Similar to nature’s best fit beast. Animals, are those which are human or plants whose behaviors are wild, aggressive and inhumane. The negatively rude depiction of this woman wearing a “red dress” that is painted purposely to show her nude body, it is dehumanizing as her animal features protrude through the dress. The image clearly corresponding with sex as this woman, is shown very negatively. There’s no guessing what’s under her “red dress” as it is all in the open to be seen. With this image I don’t feel as though she was meant to be seen her face at least; as the depiction of her is very raw and non-naturalistic to showcase that her body parts are more attractive. This depiction is beastly, and no matter how animalistic she was shown, she made to depict sexual imagery.
She Shall be Called Woman, George Frederic Watts, Around 1880, From the collection of: Tate Britain
A woman or goddess is coming out of the force of nature while being a part of it, the evolution of human. The painting is also known as the creation of Eve. It is very colorful, peaceful, and dense and shows innocence. The power of nature is shown very beautifully, it is not destructive at all and at the center of it from where the woman is coming out she is also showing the attraction of nature. At the bottom there are birds, flowers, clouds are twisted around her covering the lower body and the woman is facing upward to the sky or sun as if she is taking in the light that is focused on her body. The light looks very bright which really turns the moment magnificent. It seems as if she is taking in the glory of this creation where she is the glorious.
Three Women on the Street of Baghdad, Jāzeps Grosvalds, 1919/1919, From the collection of: Latvian National Museum of Art
The women portrayed here are covered from head to toe. They are even pulling their garments closer to them as to not let the wind in; some sort of mask covers the third woman’s face. The other two women’s faces are just barely visible. It is commonly known that women who are Muslim wear garments covering themselves completely as a standard of modesty. The use of pink here is quite intriguing as it contrasts with the purpose of their garb. Although it is normal for Muslim women to dress this way, this piece provokes the viewer to think “What if all women dressedthis way? Would there be less rape? Abductions? Kidnappings? Is it a woman’s fault if she gets raped because her dress is too revealing?
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