images of women. lecture outline issues with interpretation constructing the woman in the domestic...
TRANSCRIPT
Lecture outline
• Issues with interpretation• Constructing the woman in the domestic context• The Veil• Nudity• Identifying prostitutes
Constructing the Domestic
• Images of women without men – ‘domestic’• Provide insight into otherwise hidden world?• However – images reflect a construction of gender
produced by society• Not to be taken at face value!• Who was the intended viewer?• A figured vase can be used to promote concepts of
femininity to all viewers
Suspended ObjectsMirrors, vases, sashes – floating in space used to represent the female space
Red-figure, white-ground lekythos475-425 BC
Plaque fragment; woman carrying a kalathos
• What is a kalathos and how was it used?• Where do you think this plaque would have been
used?• What is the message of the plaque?
Red figure pyxis; women in various postions• What is a pyxis and what is it used for?• What activities are happening in these scenes?• What objects are suspended in the scene and why? (arrow points to suspended alabastron
Red-figure pelike; woman and two youths• What do you think this vessel would be used for?• What is the woman holding and why?• What do you think is happening here?
Red-figure, white ground lekythos; woman at stele with male figure
• What is a lekythos and how was it used?• Where do you think the represented scene occurred?• What do you think the woman is doing?• How can you explore the figure of the man?
Veiling
• Resistance to consider Greek women as veiled• Veil created portable seclusion for women – gives more
freedom/independence • The veil as a gesture