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SUBJECTS OF THE GAZE: RUBENS AND HIS FEMALE PORTRAITS
- Date Issued:
- 2017
- Abstract/Description:
- My paper investigates Peter Paul Rubens' female portraits in terms of the male and female gaze, psychoanalytic analysis, and historical context. My research will support the idea that Rubens painted women in a sexualized manner based on what Foucault coins the male gaze.[1] The paintings evaluated in this project include portraits of Rubens' wives, Isabella Brandt and Helene Fourment, and portraits of wealthy patrons such as Marchesa Brigida Spinola Doria, Anne of Austria, and Marie de' Medici. It is incorrect to view these paintings as pure, complete depictions of identity because women in this time were always defined and observed by men.[2]However by deconstructing the male gaze and also acknowledging the role of the active female gaze of the subjects of these works, a more complex construction of female identity is uncovered. Throughout history the feminine has been generalized to be passive and silent. My project aims to build on recent feminist scholarship that works to uncover more responsible and representative descriptions of the images of women in history. [1]Michel Foucault, "Discipline and Punish" from Literary Theory: An Anthology, ed. by Julie Rivkin and Michael Ryan, (Malden: Blackwell Publishing Ltd., 2004), 549-565. [2]Patricia Simons, "Women in Frames: The Gaze, the Eye, the Profile in Renaissance Portraiture," edited by Norma Broude and Mary Garrard, The Expanding Discourse: Feminism and Art History (New York: Harper Collins, 1992): 44.
Title: | SUBJECTS OF THE GAZE: RUBENS AND HIS FEMALE PORTRAITS. |
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Name(s): |
van Ravenswaay, Gabrielle C, Author Mendoza, Ilenia Colon, Committee Chair University of Central Florida, Degree Grantor |
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Type of Resource: | text | |
Date Issued: | 2017 | |
Publisher: | University of Central Florida | |
Language(s): | English | |
Abstract/Description: | My paper investigates Peter Paul Rubens' female portraits in terms of the male and female gaze, psychoanalytic analysis, and historical context. My research will support the idea that Rubens painted women in a sexualized manner based on what Foucault coins the male gaze.[1] The paintings evaluated in this project include portraits of Rubens' wives, Isabella Brandt and Helene Fourment, and portraits of wealthy patrons such as Marchesa Brigida Spinola Doria, Anne of Austria, and Marie de' Medici. It is incorrect to view these paintings as pure, complete depictions of identity because women in this time were always defined and observed by men.[2]However by deconstructing the male gaze and also acknowledging the role of the active female gaze of the subjects of these works, a more complex construction of female identity is uncovered. Throughout history the feminine has been generalized to be passive and silent. My project aims to build on recent feminist scholarship that works to uncover more responsible and representative descriptions of the images of women in history. [1]Michel Foucault, "Discipline and Punish" from Literary Theory: An Anthology, ed. by Julie Rivkin and Michael Ryan, (Malden: Blackwell Publishing Ltd., 2004), 549-565. [2]Patricia Simons, "Women in Frames: The Gaze, the Eye, the Profile in Renaissance Portraiture," edited by Norma Broude and Mary Garrard, The Expanding Discourse: Feminism and Art History (New York: Harper Collins, 1992): 44. | |
Identifier: | CFH2000209 (IID), ucf:46053 (fedora) | |
Note(s): |
2017-05-01 B.A. College of Arts and Humanities, Visual Arts and Design Bachelors This record was generated from author submitted information. |
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Subject(s): |
Peter Paul Rubens Portraiture Flemish Baroque Art Baroque Art seventeenth century portraiture |
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Persistent Link to This Record: | http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000209 | |
Restrictions on Access: | campus 2018-05-01 | |
Host Institution: | UCF |