Feminine Power in the Arts throughout History - Coursework Example

Running head: FEMININE POWER Feminine Power in the Arts throughout History You’re Name University Abstract Throughout history there have been quite noticeable signs of feminine power in various art forms. The feminine identity can be seen within paintings such as the Mona Lisa; in the sculpture work in Egyptian culture such as the Dancing Goddess, and on to the stunning architecture in Egypt and Greece depicting feminine design, prose, power, and other feminine form. There are of course other art forms in history that bring in the power of femininity as well, regardless of how obscure it might be presented. This research discusses how art influenced femininity all throughout the course of history and undoubtedly promoted an influential presence of power with the female gender within various societal aspects of life in all parts of the world. The conclusion emphasizes that the arts possibly helped women develop into their identified social positions today and they also possibly worked to diminish discrimination of women by promoting the power of femininity through the art forms. Feminine Power in the Arts throughout History Introduction Historic research shows that from stick figures in the sand and the earliest animals painted and carved in stone, people worldwide have reacted to the world by making images. The fundamental goal of art, especially in the past, was to convey meaning and express important ideas, revealing what was significant to every society, by arresting images. In recognizing the subject matter of any painting, an individual has to look at the artist’s intentions, which are regularly connected to social conditions, national or global issues, and the demands of the public. This was often the case in decades past where women’s social roles were often demeaned and they did no have the power in societal circles that they should have been granted. However, much of the artwork speaks a whole other tune and places women in many credible positions filled with power and purpose. To avoid the pitfalls of judging all art by individual personal experiences and subjective views, it has to be earned that the background surrounding the artist is important to the work as well. This is why so much of the artwork done of women in Egypt, Greece, and India speaks volumes to lovers of art today. The pain, love, power, femininity, and ever detail are evident in the work presented even though socially this was not that obvious. When the work was created, the social and historical conditions of the time, and the philosophical views which affected the way in which the artist viewed the world all came out in much of the feminine artwork contributed (Osborne 1970). Feminism and Power in Artwork from the Past Feminine power is quite evident in many of the art forms that are viewed from the past and even into current day. Egyptian culture possibly had the most significant pull in artistically presenting the feminine form as an essence of power as can be seen in sculptural work such as “the Dancing Goddess” in the year 1800 BC (Angel Images in Art History 2005). Women were depicted in a variety of ways in the Egyptian society both in the arts and in their daily interactions as well. It could be easily said that the countries of Egypt and India possibly valued the importance of women far more than any other countries in the world did in the 1800’s. They realized that without women, their lives would not continue in the same way. Also, without women’s care and devotion to the family there would have been no well balanced life in society. Many of the artists in the 1800’s placed women with many forms of power based on these various feelings in real life society. For example, as has been mentioned, the fertility of women was often used as a source of power in their artistic form being presented. They also were often given power in many sexual ideas as well. Some were given power alongside their husbands in paintings and sculptures that were done. The list goes on and on and the representations of women were and are extraordinary in showing these many ideas. Even as far back as 875 BC there are common artistic identities in the Egyptian culture reflecting on feminine power. For instance, in the art work of “The Ark of Covenant” there are winged angels in the architecture design and although there are male winged guardian angels there are also the presence of female winged guardian angels as well, giving off the well-defined symbolism of feminine prowess in the Egyptian culture during that era of time and on into the present as well (Angel Images in Art History 2005). Another example of art in Egypt that places a powerful position onto women is within the sculpture of Menkaure and his Queen (Witcombe 2005). The sculpture depicts the female with her arm around her husband, the Pharaoh. This automatically leaves the impression that she has just as much influential power as her husband does but at the same time she is aware of her boundaries as well. Her stance is somewhat different from the Pharaoh’s in the sculpture, giving him a more powerful stance than hers is presenting. Still, her role is obvious as it is one of a supportive gesture towards her husband, one almost saying that she will support his decisions and provide him the strength and fortitude he needs when he feels he can not go on. In fact, in Egypt many women who were beside powerful men were regarded in this same manner, which might just possibly be why the artwork represents the women the way that it does. Furthermore, the fertility of Egyptian women was something to be honored and this is another point to show why much of the artistic work that is present today often emphasizes Egyptian women with children or standing beside their spouse. Not only did the artwork of the Egyptians present women in a different view from what the societal impressions were, the Indian artwork gives off and gave off a varied concept about women within society as well. Feminine power was given many expressions in much of the Indian artwork through the depiction of women as the Messiahs, and the Prophets (Kumar 2003). Those in India regarded women as sacred beings many times and this is why the artwork is so detailed and illustrative of these hidden thoughts concerning women. In India women are to this day considered to be a treasure and individuals meant to be honored and valued for all that they can bring to a man’s life. The artwork clearly demonstrates all of these concepts and it can be found abundantly in paintings, sculptures, murals, and in other various forms as well within the country of India. Even though discrimination and other adverse societal influences might have placed obstacles in women’s paths in years past, the artwork brought forth new intellect and thoughts about women and what they have symbolized throughout history, though sometimes obscure or just vaguely hinted at. Feminine Power found in the Artwork of India Some of the more fascinating Indian artwork which depicts women as holding significant power and prowess is in subjects such as “The Yuni”, “The Images of the Goddess Durga”, and in the image of “The Goddess and the God”, where the power that is bestowed onto women is clearly evident, especially within the images of the Goddess Durga. She is depicted as someone who is a loving God yet ready and willing to defend what is rightfully hers, representing women as strong and empowered beings within their own independent way of thinking (Kumar 2003). The Hindu Indian religion has many different portrayals of artwork which represent various faces of Durga and give explanations of her power over man as well. The most common aspect of power that the Hindu artwork images give to women is one of sexual power. The art tells stories of sometimes fictitious events that have occurred which surround real men and women and their love lives. For example, the artwork which illustrates the woman on top of her male counterpart defines that women hold an unquestionable amount of power over men when it comes to intimacy issues and sexual encounters. Many of the pictures that are portrayed in India show the feminine side of the women in a sexually explicit fashion but at the same time show how the lovemaking of a couple can allow for a man to be able to later ponder important decisions more decisively and more clearly so that he might choose the right ones simply due to the release the woman can give him (Kumar 2003). Other cultures give women power such as this through their artwork and creative images as well. It is a very popular artistic element in the art world and has been for quite some time now. Greek artwork is very defining of female power as well and it has some very strong examples that can validate this being stated as well. Feminine Power in the Artwork of Greece In Greece the artwork that was often created was filled with images of women in all shapes and sizes, from sexually explicit themes, to lovers at a crossroads, to Gods and sorcerer’s, and to mothers and female children. The most astounding art form in Greece that is representative of women however is the form of Aphrodite. To this day she is still viewed as a powerful image for women as she was meant to represent so many ideas and was filled with power, specifically over love, fertility, and relationships between men and women (Kluth 2005). Aphrodite was often referred to as “the laughing, loving goddess” (Kluth 2005). She supposedly had more power than any of the Gods, even Zeus himself because she had the powerful ability to woo men and to get them to submit to her whims without having to use any special powers except her unique beauty and wit on them. She was carefree and exhilarating and although history has shown that earthly women felt shadowed by her Godly presence they still respected her and admired her for what she brought to the population of women. Ultimately her presence embodied women with power, especially sexual power, and in this regard they did dominate over men. Possibly, it is the images of Aphrodite that gave human women the ideas of how to woo their men and have control over them by showering them with more physical delights and obvious adoration than physical strength or power through fighting. In truth women are very powerful when it comes to romance and other forms of love as has been stated. The many paintings and sculptures of Aphrodite in Greece are to be admired and respected because they represent an age old beauty among women, one that has changed feminine thoughts and ideals over the ages. However, one thing stays the same and that is the idea that women will always have the upper hand over men in the areas of intimacy and fertility. Conclusion Every culture has their own idea of what embodies women with power and the artwork in Greece, India, Egypt, England, and even in America throughout the decades emphasizes these myriad of ideas. The arts have brought forth so many new ideas for women and these ideas have definitely flourished. What artwork has brought forth were once only hidden thoughts but through the various images women have gained their own sense of independence and identities and are now just as powerful as the male forms are. Even today this form of art is still expressive of change and continues to change and transform as the times do. Art from the past is a part of culture in society and it definitely has been carried over into present day as a powerful reminder of the power that women can represent and that they indeed do have. References Angel Images in Art History. (2005). Angels in Art History: An Angelic Journey through Time. Retrieved October 22, 2006 from the World Wide Web: http://www.artsales.com/ARTistory/angelic_journey/ Kluth, John. (2005). Aphrodite Defined. Retrieved October 28, 2006 from the World Wide Web: http://www.fjkluth.com/aphro.html Exotic India. (2003). Shakti: Power and Feminity in Indian Art. Retrieved October 22, 2006 from the World Wide Web: http://www.exoticindiaart.com/article/shakti Osborne, Harold. (1970). Oxford Companion to Art. England: Oxford University Press. Witcombe, Chris. (2005). Statue of Menkaure and his Queen. Retrieved October 23, 2006 from the World Wide Web: http://www.witcombe.sbc.edu/menkaure/menkaurematriliny.html Read More

When the work was created, the social and historical conditions of the time, and the philosophical views which affected the way in which the artist viewed the world all came out in much of the feminine artwork contributed (Osborne 1970). Feminism and Power in Artwork from the Past Feminine power is quite evident in many of the art forms that are viewed from the past and even into current day. Egyptian culture possibly had the most significant pull in artistically presenting the feminine form as an essence of power as can be seen in sculptural work such as “the Dancing Goddess” in the year 1800 BC (Angel Images in Art History 2005).

Women were depicted in a variety of ways in the Egyptian society both in the arts and in their daily interactions as well. It could be easily said that the countries of Egypt and India possibly valued the importance of women far more than any other countries in the world did in the 1800’s. They realized that without women, their lives would not continue in the same way. Also, without women’s care and devotion to the family there would have been no well balanced life in society. Many of the artists in the 1800’s placed women with many forms of power based on these various feelings in real life society.

For example, as has been mentioned, the fertility of women was often used as a source of power in their artistic form being presented. They also were often given power in many sexual ideas as well. Some were given power alongside their husbands in paintings and sculptures that were done. The list goes on and on and the representations of women were and are extraordinary in showing these many ideas. Even as far back as 875 BC there are common artistic identities in the Egyptian culture reflecting on feminine power.

For instance, in the art work of “The Ark of Covenant” there are winged angels in the architecture design and although there are male winged guardian angels there are also the presence of female winged guardian angels as well, giving off the well-defined symbolism of feminine prowess in the Egyptian culture during that era of time and on into the present as well (Angel Images in Art History 2005). Another example of art in Egypt that places a powerful position onto women is within the sculpture of Menkaure and his Queen (Witcombe 2005).

The sculpture depicts the female with her arm around her husband, the Pharaoh. This automatically leaves the impression that she has just as much influential power as her husband does but at the same time she is aware of her boundaries as well. Her stance is somewhat different from the Pharaoh’s in the sculpture, giving him a more powerful stance than hers is presenting. Still, her role is obvious as it is one of a supportive gesture towards her husband, one almost saying that she will support his decisions and provide him the strength and fortitude he needs when he feels he can not go on.

In fact, in Egypt many women who were beside powerful men were regarded in this same manner, which might just possibly be why the artwork represents the women the way that it does. Furthermore, the fertility of Egyptian women was something to be honored and this is another point to show why much of the artistic work that is present today often emphasizes Egyptian women with children or standing beside their spouse. Not only did the artwork of the Egyptians present women in a different view from what the societal impressions were, the Indian artwork gives off and gave off a varied concept about women within society as well.

Feminine power was given many expressions in much of the Indian artwork through the depiction of women as the Messiahs, and the Prophets (Kumar 2003). Those in India regarded women as sacred beings many times and this is why the artwork is so detailed and illustrative of these hidden thoughts concerning women. In India women are to this day considered to be a treasure and individuals meant to be honored and valued for all that they can bring to a man’s life.

Read More