Religious Studies 1020A/B Lecture 9: REL1020B Lecture 9
5 Feb 2019
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REL 1020B Lecture 9
The male gaze- idea that the person watching is the heterosexual male
The idea of gaze can be formed into a theory
How people learn about, create and maintain power differences within culture based on visual
cues
Gaze could become harmful
Women portrayed in film in 1960s existed primarily for straight men, not for women
They existed for a specific audience, put there on purpose by directors and society and culture
If we only see women portrayed this way we are seeing through that lens, and internalizing
that
When these films are made by men for men women are not included
Women in renaissance art were not allowed to be artists, illiterate, no schooling
Nude paintings were always men, anatomy was adjusted because they were not allowed to be
models
If a real woman was painted it was likely not her choice
Renaissance women were considered weak, their virtues were feminine and submissive
Pieta- michelangelo
She looks very young, almost the same age as her son
She is not engaging with us or jesus, avoiding eye contact with everyone
She is holding a grown man like a baby
We have the power as the viewer, not her
She is completely covered, custom of a submissive wife at the time
She is exhibiting the proper decorum of a woman of the era, teaching us a lesson
Michelangelo says she is depicted as young because she is not sexually active
If you behave this way, you will remain youthful and pure
How is this image influencing you
Mary magdalene- donatello
Repentant mary magdalene
His own beliefs in society is told through the way she looks
Her choices and penance is resulted in a person who is not ideal
Shes in rags, she is malnourished, not youthful
Morbid glorification
Her eyes are so sunken, not much visual contact
Still in a demure pose
Mary magdalene- titian
Failed modesty
Document Summary
The male gaze- idea that the person watching is the heterosexual male. The idea of gaze can be formed into a theory. How people learn about, create and maintain power differences within culture based on visual cues. Women portrayed in film in 1960s existed primarily for straight men, not for women. They existed for a specific audience, put there on purpose by directors and society and culture. If we only see women portrayed this way we are seeing through that lens, and internalizing that. When these films are made by men for men women are not included. Women in renaissance art were not allowed to be artists, illiterate, no schooling. Nude paintings were always men, anatomy was adjusted because they were not allowed to be models. If a real woman was painted it was likely not her choice. Renaissance women were considered weak, their virtues were feminine and submissive. She looks very young, almost the same age as her son.
