The Truth Behind the Painting: A Woman’s World

This article is part of our Spring/Summer 2020 print issue. See the full, digital version of the issue here.

Illustrations by Mary Buzby.

For many of us, our knowledge of art history is limited to a select few of society’s most famed artists—Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael and Michaelangelo, otherwise known as the four Ninja Turtles. While you might also be familiar with female-identifying artists such as Frida Kahlo, there's a reason those four male figures come to mind first. 

For centuries, many artists have not been given due credit as a result of societal gender norms, and museums are in part to blame. Often, museum-goers are quick to take exhibit information at face value despite it not always being accurate. This has started a #MuseumsAreNotNeutral trend on many social media platforms, including Twitter. 

So, what exactly are we missing? To find out, we sat down with Elon professor Kirstin Ringelberg, who specializes in modern and contemporary works. 

Due to variation in time and place, it can be difficult to generalize conclusions about gender stereotypes in fine art. However, Rindgelberg said typically, “the same work of art by an artist viewed as a man versus an artist viewed as a woman would be seen differently by most critics.”  

Currently, Ringelberg’s research focuses on analyzing critics’ assumption that female-identifying artists tend to create works with “feminine” subject matters. For example, she is examining Madeleine Lemaire, a famous 19th century French painter and illustrator. While Lemaire has created a wide array of paintings and illustrations, she is mostly known for her floral paintings.

Illustrations by Mary Buzby.

However, Ringelberg said the subject matter of a painting is often influenced by other factors, including art patrons and even the government. During the Italian Renaissance, for example, the Catholic church was a major patron of art, which allowed them to dictate which art could be produced. 

Even today, the United States government has the ability to censor art, and Ringelberg said this censorship often applies to queer artists or artists of color. The government achieves censorship by defunding resources that give these artists accessibility. 

Despite the plight of female-identifying artists both in the past and present, women continue to create. Sydney Gubner, aspiring artist and Elon junior, said she became serious about art production in high school. 

Gubner is now the founder of Sydney Paige Studios, where she paints anything from canvases to bags to guitars. For her, pursuing the art world today is empowering. 

“I love sharing my story and creativity with people, and by commissioning individual pieces for clients, I get to express their personalities as well,” she said. 

Gubner is known for decorating designer bags with fun colors or monogrammed initials. She also said she enjoys supporting other women-owned businesses because “it's important that we stand together and show our strengths and successes.”

In order to continue supporting artists, regardless of gender, it is important to educate ourselves on history. Criticize what you learn, ask questions and look at the whole story before you judge a chapter.