Comparing Four Images - Essay Example

Comparing four images Art is a representation of the society. Different artists use their artistic talents to represent the cultural and social features of the society. Art provides the artists with an effective platform to criticize the society by portraying the conspicuous cultural and social features in their creations. Painting is among the oldest type of art used by people throughout the history of humans and therefore provides a realistic review of numerous social and cultural features in the human society. Through successive arts developed in different societies at different times, it is possible to analyze the differences in not only the artistic values but also the cultural and social features. Among the most conspicuous cultural features, that different paintings portray is the gender role and differences. Different societies viewed gender differences adversely with the people apportioning unique roles for each gender as the below analysis of four distinct paintings portrays. Gender differences and roles differ with differences in cultural and historical contexts. Artists capture such cultural and historical differences in the roles of different genders. Painted in the 1617, Abduction of the daughters of Leucippus is typical representation of the differences in genders and the roles of each of the genders. Among the conspicuous features of the painting is the portrayal of both males and female. From the painting, women are fairer than their male counterparts are a feature that arises from the cultural and historical roles of each gender. The bodies of the women in the painting are fairer and lighter than the bodies of the men are. The painting portrays that women cared for the body besides the fact that they did light chores. The female bodies are voluptuous, soft and fleshy. In the early society, such features were considered sexy thus feminine. The painting portrays men as darker than the women with strong and muscular bodies. Such personality features were fundamental owing to the cultural and historical roles of men at the time. They performed laborious duties thus enhancing the growth of the masculine body frames. Additionally, their skins are darker then the skins of the women are a feature that arises from the extensive exposure to the harsh environmental features. The painting portrays the men as enjoying numerous privileges over their female counterparts. The men for example are riding on horses while grabbing the women who were walking on foot and are evidently resisting the capture. The men enjoy impunity and therefore manhandle the women without caring for their feelings. The same painting on the other portrays women as weak people often subdued by the men. The women in the painting cannot resist the capture but breakdown thus leaving their bodies exposed to the molesting males who shove them carelessly. Women are weak and emotional while the men are strong and emotionless people who undertake their objectives without remorse. While the features appear artistic intuitions covered in an old painting, the features are factual cultural and social reflection of the early society showing the relationship between men and women. The painting portrays the differences in both the personality and roles of the two genders all of which are distinct. Abduction of the daughters of Leucippus Oath of the Horatii is yet another traditional painting that portrays the cultural setting of the ancient Rome. Developed in1784 by Jacques-Louis David, the painting depicts the distinct gender roles and feature in the early Roman society. The image portrays male soldiers branding machetes while a number of women cow behind them in fear and seclusion covering their women. The painting the distinct gender roles in the early Roman society, males are stronger than the women are and therefore perform such masculine roles as soldering. The male soldiers brand their arms in a manner that portrays their strengths. In a show of masculinity, the men celebrate their victory in battle while the women sit meekly behind them. This explains the position of the women in the early Roman society (Kimmel 66). Women were not soldiers. Instead, they stayed homes and care for their children often performing other duties considered feminine. Just as is the case with the previous painting, Jacques-Louis David ensures to portray the personality features of the two genders. Women adorn brightly colored dresses that portray their clean and pure nature. Additionally, their skins are lighter than the male. Such are important features of the painting that the painter considers strategically in order to compound the differences in the roles of the two genders. One of the women in painting covers her child; such is a feature that portrays the primary role of women in the early Roman society. Women care and protected their children. She for example does not leave the child at home but prefers to walk with her child because that way, she remains assure of her child’s safety. The major indicators that portray differences in the roles of the different genders are the attire of the two groups. The male soldiers adorn attires with angular lines while the women have soft curly and bright clothing. The men for example dress conveniently for their roles as soldiers while the women dress with the view of complementing their beauty. Differences in the gender roles were cultural features that influenced the relationship between the two since each group maintained a degree of decorum and respect of the other often maintaining such relationship to the cultural norms. The painting portrays this as the men continue with their duties and behave as though the women are absent. The women on the other hand group themselves in a meek manner thus comforting each other while caring for their children. Oath of the Horatii Displayed at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Menkaure and His Wife, Queen Khamerernebty, Gizeh, Egypt, Fourth Dynasty, c. 2600 BCE is another historical masterpiece that portrays the relationship between the two genders and their distinct roles. The sculpture portrays the unity of a royal family as the king stands by the side of his queen. However, the king does not betray his emotions thereby leaving the queen to embrace him. In the early Egyptian society, males were strong and dominant and could not therefore display their emotions. The sculpture portrays the strength and agility of the king who stands strong and masculine leaving the queen to hold him. Just as was the case with other paintings, the sculpture portrays the feminine curves of the queen a feature that portrays the nature of her dressing. Her dressing complements her curves while the king remains in a linear lined attire that covers his essentials without revealing any curves. Menkaure and His Wife, Queen Khamerernebty, Palace sculpture is yet another cultural and historical masterpiece that portrays the difference in gender roles in traditional African society. The sculpture shows a queen standing behind her enthroned husband and king. Every feature of the sculpture is strategic and therefore portrays a distinct role for each genders. The African society values women for their ability to sustain life through reproduction. The standing queen is therefore a portrayal of the woman’s might as she towers over the king. The sculpture shows numerous differences with the view of portraying the difference of the two genders. The woman for example is brighter that the man is and her curves and body features are conspicuous. The king on the other hand is darker and sits humble in front of the towering woman in a show of respect. Such feature as the protruding breasts show the woman’s reproductive powers. Palace sculpture Work cited Kimmel, Michael S. The Gendered Society. New York, NY [u.a.: Oxford Univ. Press, 2000. Print. Read More