Feminism and Art History: Questioning the Litany

Rating:
Summary: The essential overview of feminist art history
Review: This is essential reading for anyone interested in feminist art history. It was one of the earlier scholarly compliations of critical articles concerning issues in visual representation of women as subject and by women as artists. Ranging from a study of images of women in Greek art, to an analysis of the psycho-social motivations of 20th century Expressionism, to an investigation of American quilting and its influence on contemporary art, each essay contributes to our understanding of paradigms which are basic in forming a new context-- a context which is needed to re-examine the white, Western male canon of standard art histories. The essays also provide a fundamental vocabulary for investigation of specific works, and aptly balance the feminist positions about art with vital, challenging interpretations of cultural conditions and biases which have affected our perception of gender and the place of art in societies over time. The introduction by the editors defines the content, nuance and strategy of the feminist art historical project and is as pertinent today as it was twenty years ago. I would recommend this book as a useful starting point for research and education; and for students, teachers or anyone willing to cast off the blinders of assumed histories.