Join classicist Mary Beard, known for her deep insights into ancient cultures, and Holly Braine from Sotheby’s, as they dive into the representation of powerful women in Western art. They discuss iconic figures like Athena and Queen Elizabeth I, exploring how historical depictions have shaped societal views on female power. The conversation probes the male gaze in art and critiques contemporary portrayals of women, emphasizing the importance of female narratives and agency in challenging gender norms throughout history and today.
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insights INSIGHT
The Masculinization of Female Power
Powerful women in Western art are often depicted as men.
Athena, the Greek goddess, exemplifies this, wearing armor and embodying male attributes.
insights INSIGHT
The Medusa Dichotomy
The Medusa image illustrates dangerous women as either monstrous or beautiful.
This duality persists in how female politicians like Hillary Clinton are portrayed.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Subverting Power Dynamics
The statues of Messalina and Claudius show complexities in representing power.
Messalina, notorious for her behavior, is portrayed as a virtuous mother, while Claudius looks foolish.
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How has Western culture depicted powerful women down the ages? To what extent have they been packaged into a male template? And how much have they been able to control their own image? Featuring classicist Mary Beard and Sotheby’s specialist Holly Braine, and chaired by cultural critic Shahidha Bari, the conversation will range from sculptures of ancient goddesses such as Aphrodite and Athena, to portraits of Queen Elizabeth I as ‘Gloriana’, to the empowered politicians and cultural icons of today. This conversation was produced in partnership with Sotheby's for Sotheby’s Talks: (Women) Artists.
To view the accompanying images for this conversation please visit: https://intelligencesquared.com/sothebys-women-artists-women-in-power/
This event was recorded on the 26th of February 2023, at Sotheby's in London. It was produced by Executive Producer Hannah Kaye andediting was by Producer Catharine Hughs.
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