In 'Ways of Seeing,' John Berger and his co-authors argue that the way we see art has been manipulated by a privileged minority to preserve their social and economic dominance. The book, based on a 1972 BBC television series, consists of seven essays, four of which use words and images, and three that are entirely pictorial. Berger critiques traditional Western artistic and cultural canon, particularly focusing on the male gaze, the portrayal of women in art, and the impact of mechanical reproduction on art. The book has had a profound influence on feminist readings of popular culture and art history, and it remains a seminal work in the field of art criticism[2][4][5].
The Story of Art Without Men by Katy Hessel offers a groundbreaking survey of art history, shifting the focus from male artists to the often overlooked contributions of women. Spanning centuries, the book explores the diverse and vibrant works of female artists, providing a fresh perspective on art history. It has been recognized as a New York Times Bestseller and won the Waterstones Book of the Year in 2022.
The Summer Book by Elizabeth Gundrey is an activity book published in 1974, aimed at providing engaging activities for children during the summer. It contains a variety of exercises and games to keep young minds active and entertained.
This is the first instalment of a three-part episode. How many women artists do you know? Despite the work of activist groups and scholars alike, women are still troublingly absent from the history of art. Historian and broadcaster Katy Hessel wants to change that. In September 2024 she came to the Intelligence Squared stage in conversation with the journalist, author and podcaster Pandora Sykes to write women back into art history. Discussing her bestselling book The Story of Art Without Men, she paid homage to the greats such as Artemisia Gentileschi, Frida Kahlo, Hilma af Klint, Tracey Emin and Kara Walker while also shining a light on lesser known figures such as Lavinia Fontana, thought to be one of the first women in Western art to paint female nudes in 1595.
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