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Period: 476 to 1450
Week 1- The Middle Ages
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1179
Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179)
Hildegard von Bingen was a German Benedictine abbess, writer, composer, and polymath who lived from 1098 to 1179. She was also known for her illuminations, which were a form of manuscript illustration. One of her most famous works is Scivias, which is a compilation of her visions of the divine. The illuminations in Scivias are characterized by their vibrant colors and mystical imagery, and they often depict women as powerful figures. -
1415
Depiction of the Virgin Mary in the Tres Riches Heures du Duc de Berry
The Tres Riches Heures du Duc de Berry is a medieval illuminated manuscript for John, Duke of Berry. It contains illustrations of the calendar months, biblical scenes, and other subjects. One of the most famous images in the manuscript is the depiction of the Virgin Mary. Mary is shown seated on a throne, holding the Christ Child in her lap. Mary is depicted as serene and regal with a halo. -
Period: 1450 to
Week 2 - The Renaissance
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1480
The Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli
This iconic work depicts the goddess Venus emerging from the sea, standing on a seashell, and surrounded by other figures from classical mythology. In the painting, Venus is portrayed as a symbol of beauty, love, and fertility, and her nudity is an important aspect of her portrayal. Botticelli is emphasizing the erotic and sensual aspects of femininity, which were valued during the Renaissance period. -
1556
Sofonisba Anguissola (1532-1625)
Born in Cremona, Italy in 1532, Anguissola was a highly accomplished portrait painter who gained recognition throughout Europe during her lifetime. She was one of the few women who was able to pursue a career in art during the Renaissance period, and she was widely admired for her technical skill and ability to capture the personalities of her subjects. One of Anguissola's most famous works is her self-portrait, painted in 1556 when she was just 24 years old. -
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Week 3- The 17th Century
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Judith Slaying Holofernes by Artemisia Gentileschi
Artemisia Gentileschi was an Italian Baroque painter. One of her notable works is Judith Slaying Holofernes. In this painting, Judith, a biblical heroine, is depicted in the act of beheading Holofernes, an Assyrian general. Artemisia portrays Judith and her maid as strong, determined women engaged in a violent act. Artemisia's depiction challenges traditional notions of women as passive and weak, presenting them as empowered agents of justice. The painting can be seen as a feminist statement. -
Judith Leyster (1609-1660)
Judith Leyster was a Dutch Golden Age painter whose renowned work is Self-Portrait (ca. 1630). In this painting, Judith portrays herself as a confident and accomplished artist. She gazes directly at the viewer, holding a paintbrush and palette, signifying her artistic skill and creativity. By depicting herself as an artist, Judith challenges the notion that women were primarily subjects or muses in art. -
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Week 4 - The 18th Century
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Elisabeth Vigée Le Brun’s Marie Antoinette with a Rose
Elisabeth Vigée Le Brun (1755-1842) was a prominent French portrait painter. Her work was sought after by royalty and aristocrats. One of her famous paintings is Marie Antoinette with a Rose, 1783. Vigée Le Brun's portrayal emphasizes Marie Antoinette's beauty, elegance, and grace. By presenting the queen in an informal manner, Vigée Le Brun aimed to humanize Marie Antoinette, who was often subject to criticism and controversy. -
Angelica Kauffman (1741-1807)
Angelica Kauffman, a Swiss-Austrian Neoclassical painter, achieved great success in the 18th century. One of her notable works is Cornelia Pointing to Her Children as Her Treasures, 1785. In this painting, Kauffman depicts Cornelia, a Roman matron, showing her sons to a visitor while pointing to them. Cornelia's gesture and proud expression highlight her role as a mother and educator, showcasing the idealized femininity of the time. -
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Week 5 - The 19th Century
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Olympia by Édouard Manet
Édouard Manet, a French artist, painted Olympia in 1863. The painting depicts a reclining nude woman, identified as a prostitute, lying on a bed. The painting's purpose was to challenge societal norms and question the objectification of women in art. It reflects the changing social and cultural landscape of the 19th century, marked by the emergence of feminism and the questioning of established gender roles. -
Mary Cassatt (1844-1926)
Mary Cassatt was an American artist who played a significant role in the Impressionist movement of the 19th century. One of her notable artworks is The Child's Bath (1893), an oil painting that depicts a mother bathing her child. Cassatt was known for her portrayal of intimate domestic scenes, often featuring women and children. Her work reflects the changing attitudes towards women and their increasing presence and influence in the public sphere during the 19th century. -
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Week 6 - The 20th Century (Europe)
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Period: to
Week 7 - The 20th Century (America)
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Georgia O'Keeffe (1887-1986)
Georgia O'Keeffe was an American artist known for her unique style and exploration of nature, particularly large flower paintings. One of her notable works is Black Iris. The painting is characterized by O'Keeffe's signature attention to detail and use of vibrant colors. The composition focuses on the flower's intricate petals and central form, creating a sense of intimacy and sensuality. Feminism is portrayed through O'Keeffe's celebration of the female form in nature. -
Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold
Faith Ringgold is an American artist best known for her narrative quilts that address themes of race, gender, and identity. Tar Beach is a quilt and painting that tells the story of Cassie Louise Lightfoot. The artwork depicts Cassie flying over a New York City rooftop, representing her dreams of freedom and liberation. Ringgold explores the experiences of African American women and their aspirations for equality and self-determination. -
The Two Fridas by Frida Kahlo
In the painting, two Frida Kahlos are depicted- One Frida wears a traditional Tehuana costume representing her Mexican heritage, while the other wears a European-style dress. The Frida dressed in white has a broken heart and severed veins symbolizing her emotional pain and vulnerability. The Frida dressed in bold colors holds forceps that connect their shared heart. The painting conveys themes of duality, identity, and the complexities of being a woman. -
Barbara Hepworth (1903-1975)
Barbara Hepworth was a British sculptor and a leading figure in the modernist art movement. This abstract sculpture is made of carved wood and its form consists of curving/interlocking shapes. Hepworth often explored the relationship between positive and negative space, and this sculpture exemplifies her interest in organic and geometric forms. The artwork reflects Hepworth's fascination with the interplay of light and shadow and her exploration of the spatial and tactile qualities of sculpture. -
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Week 8 - Late 20th Century/21st Century
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Cindy Sherman (born 1954)
Cindy Sherman is an American photographer and artist known for her self-portraits that explore themes of identity, gender, and representation. Untitled Film Still #21 (1978) - part of her series of black-and-white photographs that mimic scenes from vintage film stills. Sherman portrays herself as a vulnerable and contemplative woman, standing against a cityscape backdrop. Feminism is portrayed in Sherman's depiction through her subversion of traditional female roles and stereotypes. -
Yayoi Kusama (born 1929)
Yayoi Kusama is a Japanese contemporary artist who is known for her immersive installations, polka-dot motifs, and surrealistic sculptures. Infinity Mirrored Room – The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away (2013), is an installation comprised of mirrored walls, LED lights, and a reflective pool. The viewer steps into a darkened space filled with an illusion of infinite flickering lights, creating an otherworldly and meditative experience.