Unit 4: Art and Gender.

As I have said many times before, because art is the purest expression of a human being, an artist’s work is a portrait of what he or she is. From my point of view, I do not see any difference between the does and don’ts of a specific genre. I believe that independently of being a man or a woman, whatever feeling passing through a person have the same effect. So, for me, both genres can do and feel the same things. Unfortunately, because of society’s taboos and social rules, most people think that men are different than women. A very long time ago it was established that men are stronger, more capable and have the right to do anything they wanted in comparison to women. Therefore, when interpreting the work made by a woman artist, critics would see and perceive different complements than a painting made by a man painter. A clear example of the importance of gender in art can be seen when comparing the two versions of “Susannah and the Elders” by Jacapo Tintoretto and Artemisa Gentileschi. It can be said that because Tintoretto is a man painter that lived during the fourteenth century, his version of the female character of the painting is somehow seductive but innocent, just as many men from that and this time usually see women. On the other hand, Gentileschi’s version portraits the female character in an anguish and discontent position. As a she is being molested by the old men and wanted them to stop. This last is I think, the most realistic version of Susannah’s situation, given that she is a woman and the painter can relate to the situation she is in. Also, I do not believe that any man or women would be acting seductive and innocent when they know that two old men and observing them with those kind of eyes. So, for me yes, gender takes a very important role in art. Men and women perceptions only differ because of society’s expectations, not because of a personal choice.