AH203 - Women in Art

A survey of women artists and images of women in art in Western Europe and America from ancient to modern times, contrasting feminist and conventional perspectives. Social and historical context as well as special problems faced by women. Why have there been so few 'great' women artists? Are there qualities unique to women's art? Meets the Critical Perspectives: Social Inequality requirement. Meets the Critical Learning: HP requirement. Meets the Equity and Power: EPG requirement. Meets the Writing in the Discipline requirement.

Degree requirement — Critical Learning: HP, Critical Perspectives: S, Equity and Power: EPG, Writing in the Discipline

1 unit — Murray

Previously Featured Offering

Women in Art provides an antidote to the standard survey of the Western tradition in art, which focusses largely on the ‘great’ male artists of genius. Instead this course surveys the history of women artists and of images of women in art in Western Europe and America from medieval to modern times, contrasting feminist and conventional perspectives.
Detail of the painting "Convolvulus, Poppies, and other Flowers in an Urn on a Stone Ledge"
Artwork by Rachel Ruysch, Roses, Convolvulus, Poppies, and other Flowers in an Urn on a Stone Ledge, c. 1680s (Museum of Women in the Arts). Banner artwork by Marie-Denise Villers, Young Woman Drawing, 1801 (Whitney Museum of American Art).
This course provides an antidote to the standard survey of the Western tradition in art, which focusses largely on the ‘great’ male artists of genius. Instead this course surveys the history of women artists and of images of women in art in Western Europe and America from medieval to modern times, contrasting feminist and conventional perspectives. Students will consider the social and historical contexts in which the fine arts are produced, as well as the special problems faced by women. We will attempt to answer the critical questions of why have there been so few 'great' women artists, and are there qualities unique to women's art? Meets the Critical Perspectives: Social Inequality requirement.

Offerings

Term Block Title Instructor Location Student Limit/Available Updated
Fall 2023 Block 4 Women in Art Gale Murray Packard Hall 125 25 / 2 03/28/2024
Fall 2024 Block 3 Women in Art Gale Murray TBA 25 / 25 03/28/2024
Report an issue - Last updated: 03/28/2024