Week 5: Female artists
Women never seem to be championed as great
artist or authors, but only as muses. In, “Why Have There Been No Great Women
Artists?” by Linda Nochlin proved that women are never seen to be genius in the
arts. The essay was written in 1971 during the second wave of feminism. The
paper takes a feminist view on the disadvantages of being a woman in art. Nochlin, shows the oppression of institutions have
limited women from being academically trained. The neglect from art historians who refuse to acknowledge
women’s art as equal or greater to their would-be male counter parts. In fact, artist
biographies have led to women artist not being considered genius. It is in artists
biographies that have labeled male artist as genius. “The mysterious inner call
in early youth; the lack of any teacher but Nature herself” Nochlin, is saying
that only male artist is born with intelligence and skills that put them further
then anyone else. “Michelangelo himself,
according to his biographer and pupil, Vassari, did more drawing than studying
as a child.” This a myth and a trope that keeps being used and it is harming
all artists. Because, it is not the truth male artist and female artists have a
history of being taught by their fathers that happen to be artist. It was a
trade that was passed down the lineage. Artist’s background and socail status
are also overlooked. It is easier for people to explain how this artwork was
done it was simply god’s plan. This myth has also led to the title of the essay,
“Why Have There Been No Great Women Artists?” This title inflates the idea that
women can not bee seen as great. There are several women artists that have met the
standards of what great art is. “The making
of art involves
a self-consistent language
of form, more or less dependent
upon, or free
from, given temporally defined conventions,
schemata, or systems of notation, which have to be learned or
worked out, through study, apprenticeship, or a long period of
individual experimentation.”(1) A great
woman artist that experimented their own system and convention of work is Rosa Bonheur.
Who is the best in animal portraits. Proving that women have the capabilities of
great artists.
The point you made of the myths and tropes being damaging to other artists is so true. This has given the idea of careers being made to be male or female. As you mentioned above there is no reason women shouldn't be considered genius in the arts or in anything else. Your choice in art by Rose Bonheur is beautiful. She does show great genius in the arts and went on to prove this for all women. I feel in the nineteenth century they had fears of what women could become. I believe if the encouragement were there earlier the world would have a more positive environment. This idea of oppression within the arts and life is not the best for anyone. As we continue as women and men to break barriers i feel this will become more scarce.
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