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a_violentfemme's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
2.5
I didn't hate this but overall, I don't think I am the target audience for this book. This book is accessible for those without an experience of art historical arguments- especially feminist ones. But I found these theories all very surface level, predictable and a summary of ideas originally by many other well known feminist art historians.
She splits the book (and depictions of women in art) into 4 sections- Venus, mother's, maidens and monsterous women. She uses some well known and loved case studies e.g Titan's 'Rape of Europa' and Millias' 'Ophelia' and attempts to put these in conversation with contemporary media and pop culture, like Beyonce's 'lemonade' but it all left me a bit cold.
In content this reminded me of Lauren Elkin's art monsters- which I also didn't particularly enjoy (especially all the talk of writing during the pandemic and balancing mothering and writing).
I was waiting for a mention or citation of famouse academics in this field including Lynda Nead, Griselda Pollock or Linda Nochlin and they only got a disappointing acknowledgment at the end.
Give it a go if you are a beginner in art history but maybe skip over it and read 'the female nude' by Lynda Nead instead.
She splits the book (and depictions of women in art) into 4 sections- Venus, mother's, maidens and monsterous women. She uses some well known and loved case studies e.g Titan's 'Rape of Europa' and Millias' 'Ophelia' and attempts to put these in conversation with contemporary media and pop culture, like Beyonce's 'lemonade' but it all left me a bit cold.
In content this reminded me of Lauren Elkin's art monsters- which I also didn't particularly enjoy (especially all the talk of writing during the pandemic and balancing mothering and writing).
I was waiting for a mention or citation of famouse academics in this field including Lynda Nead, Griselda Pollock or Linda Nochlin and they only got a disappointing acknowledgment at the end.
Give it a go if you are a beginner in art history but maybe skip over it and read 'the female nude' by Lynda Nead instead.
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape, Sexism, and Sexual violence
lindsayreads_theworld's review against another edition
4.5
Excellent as Audio - want to get the hard copy
paigeworrall's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book. It reintroduced me to theories I hadn't come across since my University days such as the idea of the 'monstrous feminine', but also gave me some fresh perspectives about how we perceive art and women's place in it.
pompomegrantes's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
A detailed, informative and eye opening account of the different ways women are portrayed in art history. The wide range of influences and sources used from different countries and cultures created a diverse and cohesive argument. It was easily digestible for me, someone who has little training in art history and the study of art. I followed along easily.
witzelsucht's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
An engaging look at the depiction of women's bodies in Western art, mythology, media, and advertising – from Venuses and Madonnas to witches and #sadgirls – and the accompanying censorship, racist stereotypes, gender essentialism, and glorification of sexual violence. It has a fairly light touch but is still thought-provoking. I listened to and enjoyed the audiobook, which was read well by the author.