Women in the Picture: What Culture Does with Female Bodies | 
pickA fantastic and accessible nonfiction book about women and feminism in art throughout history. Although I have the hard copy I listened to the audiobook which was wonderfully narrated with passion while making it easy to understand for anyone like me who knows little about the subject
So engaging and informative, I‘ll go back to this again
4 ⭐️
pickEach chapter takes a broad theme (the final one is monsters) and brings in contemporary attitudes to women along with wide ranging examples of artists and their work. McCormack argues powerfully against simplistic acceptance of women's position in art from the past, but also against losing this art altogether.
I'm no expert on art: the accessibility and range of this book was a real plus for me.
... a feminist fantasy banquet for 39 historical and mythological women...
Medusa's knotted mythography tells us that for millennia she was the epitome of female power - a mother goddess of healing, birth, immortality and knowledge, who was possibly connected with reproductive care for women and the education of female doctors, and who was a symbolic ruler of matriarchal societies. How was something so strong denigrated into a terrifying menstruating demon, whose power was weaponised against her....?
Ophelia and Lizzie Siddall are ghosts in the archives; they join the abducted Sabines, Europa, Andromeda, Danae: the women whose stories and identities are eclipsed by service as maidens. They are a reminder that for women it is not so easy to wear one's body and be free to make one's own narrative.
(Image via Google arts)
pickWomen in the Picture offers a really interesting analysis of the treatment of women in the world of art. McCormack tackles this from several angles, considering female figures depicted in art, female artists, and the way that both these groups have been interacted with and analysed over time. There‘s lots of really interesting stuff connecting classical art to pop culture and the modern world which is sure to challenge all of us to look deeper.
... recent radical rethinking of these ubiquitous Dutch home-scapes has suggested that they were in fact contrived images, designed to appease men by promoting a fantasy construct of prosperous and tranquil domestic life on the home front - a warming image for men to conjure up when away from home for extended periods at sea.... reality for these women was likely to be a ... chaotic combination of plague, financial instability and solo parenting.
Kaphar's image asks us to consider both current and future maternal loss...
In alluding to the pietà to depict the effects of state sanctioned violence against black men, Kaphar's emotive image can be thought of as part of a relatively well-established tradition in contemporary art.
...any deviation from pictures of Mary as a beautiful blushing rose continue to invite strong reactions..... In May 2019 the home of the human rights activist Elżbieta Podleśna was raided by Polish police, who seized images of the Madonna and Child thought to be heretical for the LGBT rainbow flag across their haloes.
In Derica's LA Loft, a black woman lounges artfully on a daybed in a leopard-print chemise, her head resting on a propped-up elbow, one hand gently poised on a drink can. The lighting suggests that this is the middle of the day and Derica is luxuriating in a moment of unfettered relaxation. Despite the inevitable voyeurism we are offered as spectators witnessing her in close quarters, Derica closes her eyes, refusing any encounter with our gaze.
pickSome of the best reading is that which opens up questions for us to think about and this book does just that by examining how we look at the female body in art and in previous years. McCormack chose the Venus, Mothers, Maidens &Dead Damsels and Monstrous Women to talk about things like who were these paintings originally created for? How are different bodies portrayed such as being smooth and hairless, and who is allowed to look and who isn‘t? 👇
pickThis book is phenomenal. The focus is on the four roles of women in art - Venus, Mothers, Damsel in Distress & Monster - and talks about the historical & mythological background and modern connections and all with a detailed & feminist approach. An absolute delight and I learned a lot.
#womeninart #nonfiction #feminism
