Gender, Nationality and Ethnicity - Gender: The Representation and Subversion of Gender Stereotypes - A 'woman's place' and the 'male gaze

3 important questions on Gender, Nationality and Ethnicity - Gender: The Representation and Subversion of Gender Stereotypes - A 'woman's place' and the 'male gaze

How is the male gaze shown in Jamin's Brenn and his Share of Plunder?

The conquering Gaul warrior looks tough and masculine and is about to seize his prize - which consists of the basically naked women within the palace. Although this painted was hailed as a History, it is very sexual and reduces the women to objects of desire and allows the spectator to rejoice as well - provided that he identifies himself with the Gaul.

How can Jan van Eyck's The Arnolfini Portrait be read from a feminist perspective?

The woman is surrounding by symbols of fertility, indicating that she is soon to be pregnant as she is supposed to be. Her posture is demure, standing by the bed. However, she is witnessing the signing of a legal document, meaning that she does have some kind of influence. Still, this portrait is a clear sign of the prevailing patriarchy.

How is the house depicted in art as the 'woman's place'?

An example of this is the Femme Maison by Louise Bourgeois: the woman's head here is stuck inside a house. In the past, she was more of a servant after all, and each room assigned a different role to her, meaning that she could never truly be free and no place she was in was inviolatable. What's more, in this statue, her sexuality is on display, which fits in with the stereotype of the housewife as something erotic, only wanting to please a man.

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