♀️Feminist Art History Unit 5 – Modernism and the 'New Woman' (1900-1950)

Key Concepts and Context

• Modernism emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a cultural movement that rejected traditional forms and embraced experimentation and innovation
• The 'New Woman' concept developed during this period, challenging traditional gender roles and advocating for women's rights and independence
• Rapid industrialization, urbanization, and technological advancements shaped the social, economic, and cultural landscape of the early 20th century
• World War I (1914-1918) had a profound impact on art and society, leading to a questioning of traditional values and a search for new forms of expression
• Women's suffrage movements gained momentum during this period, with many countries granting women the right to vote (United States in 1920, United Kingdom in 1928)
• Freudian psychology and theories of the unconscious influenced artists' exploration of the inner self and the human psyche
• The rise of mass media, including photography and film, transformed the way art was created, disseminated, and consumed

Origins of Modernism

• Modernism developed as a response to the rapidly changing world of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, rejecting traditional artistic conventions and embracing innovation
• The Industrial Revolution and advancements in technology, transportation, and communication fueled the growth of cities and the emergence of new social and economic structures
• Philosophers such as Friedrich Nietzsche and Henri Bergson challenged traditional notions of truth, morality, and the nature of reality, influencing artists' exploration of new ideas and forms
• The avant-garde, a term referring to artists and writers who were at the forefront of new artistic movements, played a crucial role in the development of Modernism
  • The avant-garde often challenged the status quo and pushed the boundaries of what was considered acceptable in art and society
• Artistic movements such as Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, and Fauvism laid the groundwork for the emergence of Modernism by emphasizing subjective experience, expressive use of color, and a break from traditional representational techniques
• The Armory Show of 1913 in New York City introduced American audiences to European avant-garde art, including works by Marcel Duchamp, Henri Matisse, and Pablo Picasso, and helped to establish Modernism in the United States

The 'New Woman' Emerges

• The concept of the 'New Woman' emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, challenging traditional gender roles and advocating for women's rights and independence
• The 'New Woman' was often depicted as educated, politically active, and sexually liberated, in contrast to the submissive and domesticated ideal of femininity promoted by Victorian society
• Women's suffrage movements, which fought for women's right to vote, played a significant role in shaping the 'New Woman' identity and advancing women's rights
• The First Wave of Feminism, which began in the late 19th century and continued into the early 20th century, focused on legal and political equality for women, including the right to vote, own property, and access education
• The 'New Woman' concept was reflected in art, literature, and popular culture, with artists and writers depicting women as independent, assertive, and breaking free from traditional gender roles
  • The Gibson Girl, a popular illustration by Charles Dana Gibson, depicted the 'New Woman' as a tall, slender, and fashionable figure who engaged in physical activities and pursued her own interests
• Women artists, such as Käthe Kollwitz, Paula Modersohn-Becker, and Suzanne Valadon, challenged traditional gender roles and expectations through their art and lifestyles, embodying the spirit of the 'New Woman'

Artistic Movements and Styles

• Fauvism (1905-1908) emphasized the use of bold, expressive colors and simplified forms, as seen in the works of Henri Matisse and André Derain
• Cubism (1907-1914), pioneered by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque, broke down traditional perspective and represented objects from multiple viewpoints simultaneously
• Futurism (1909-1944), an Italian movement led by Filippo Tommaso Marinetti, celebrated speed, technology, and the dynamism of modern life
• Expressionism (1905-1933) focused on conveying emotions and inner experiences through distorted forms, exaggerated colors, and expressive brushwork, as exemplified by the works of Edvard Munch and Ernst Ludwig Kirchner
• Dada (1916-1924) was an anti-art movement that rejected traditional artistic values and embraced absurdity, irrationality, and chance, as seen in the works of Marcel Duchamp and Hannah Höch
• Surrealism (1924-1945), founded by André Breton, explored the unconscious mind and dream-like imagery, as exemplified by the works of Salvador Dalí and Frida Kahlo
• Art Deco (1925-1940) was a decorative style characterized by geometric shapes, bold colors, and stylized forms, which influenced architecture, fashion, and graphic design

Notable Artists and Works

• Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) was a Spanish artist who co-founded Cubism and created iconic works such as "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon" (1907) and "Guernica" (1937)
• Henri Matisse (1869-1954), a French artist and leader of the Fauvist movement, known for his expressive use of color in works like "Woman with a Hat" (1905) and "The Dance" (1910)
• Marcel Duchamp (1887-1968), a French-American artist associated with Dada, challenged traditional notions of art with his readymades, such as "Fountain" (1917)
• Georgia O'Keeffe (1887-1986), an American artist known for her paintings of enlarged flowers, New York skyscrapers, and New Mexico landscapes, such as "Black Iris III" (1926) and "Radiator Building—Night, New York" (1927)
• Frida Kahlo (1907-1954), a Mexican artist who explored themes of identity, gender, and politics in her surrealist self-portraits, such as "The Two Fridas" (1939) and "Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird" (1940)
• Käthe Kollwitz (1867-1945), a German artist known for her powerful prints and sculptures that addressed social and political issues, such as "The Weavers' Revolt" (1897-1898) and "Mother with Dead Child" (1903)
• Salvador Dalí (1904-1989), a Spanish surrealist artist famous for his dream-like imagery and bizarre juxtapositions, as seen in works like "The Persistence of Memory" (1931) and "Swans Reflecting Elephants" (1937)

Themes and Symbolism

• The machine age and industrialization were reflected in the geometric forms, mechanical motifs, and celebration of technology in Futurist and Art Deco works
• The horrors of World War I and the fragmentation of society were expressed through the distorted forms and emotional intensity of Expressionist art
• The unconscious mind and dream-like states were explored in Surrealist works, which often featured bizarre juxtapositions and symbolic imagery
• The changing roles of women and the emergence of the 'New Woman' were depicted in art through representations of independent, assertive, and unconventional female figures
  • For example, in Frida Kahlo's self-portraits, she often depicted herself in traditional Mexican clothing, challenging Western beauty standards and asserting her cultural identity
• Political and social commentary were prominent themes in the works of artists like Käthe Kollwitz, who addressed issues of poverty, oppression, and war
• The rise of consumerism and mass culture was reflected in the incorporation of popular imagery, advertising, and everyday objects in Dada and Pop Art works
• The search for spirituality and the exploration of non-Western cultures influenced the development of abstract art and the incorporation of primitive and tribal motifs in Modernist works

Social and Cultural Impact

• Modernist art challenged traditional values and conventions, reflecting the broader social and cultural upheavals of the early 20th century
• The emergence of the 'New Woman' and the women's suffrage movement led to increased visibility and opportunities for women artists, although they still faced significant barriers and discrimination
• Avant-garde artistic movements, such as Dada and Surrealism, were closely linked to political and social movements, such as anarchism and communism, and sought to subvert bourgeois values and institutions
• The rise of mass media and reproduction technologies, such as photography and film, transformed the way art was created, disseminated, and consumed, blurring the lines between high art and popular culture
• Modernist art and the concept of the 'New Woman' challenged traditional gender roles and expectations, paving the way for greater social and cultural shifts in the latter half of the 20th century
  • For example, the unconventional lifestyles and sexual freedom of women artists like Frida Kahlo and Georgia O'Keeffe challenged societal norms and expectations of women's behavior
• The trauma and disillusionment of World War I led to a questioning of traditional values and a search for new forms of expression, which was reflected in the experimental and avant-garde nature of Modernist art
• The increased globalization and cross-cultural exchange of the early 20th century influenced the development of Modernist art, as artists drew inspiration from non-Western art forms and philosophies

Legacy and Influence

• Modernist art laid the foundation for subsequent artistic movements and styles, such as Abstract Expressionism, Pop Art, and Minimalism
• The experimental and avant-garde spirit of Modernism continues to inspire contemporary artists who challenge traditional forms and push the boundaries of artistic expression
• The concept of the 'New Woman' and the feminist ideals that emerged during this period played a crucial role in shaping the Second Wave of Feminism in the 1960s and 1970s
  • The Second Wave of Feminism built upon the achievements of the First Wave and expanded its focus to include issues such as reproductive rights, sexuality, and workplace equality
• The influence of Modernist art can be seen in various fields, including architecture, design, fashion, and popular culture
• The legacy of women artists from the Modernist period, such as Frida Kahlo and Georgia O'Keeffe, has inspired generations of female artists and contributed to the ongoing fight for gender equality in the art world
• The Modernist emphasis on innovation, experimentation, and individual expression has become a defining characteristic of contemporary art and continues to shape the way we understand and appreciate art today
• The social and political commentary present in much of Modernist art has influenced the development of socially engaged and activist art practices in the contemporary era