Seeing Ourselves: Women's Self-Portraits

Seeing Ourselves

Women’s Self-Portraits

by Frances Borzello

Published by Thames & Hudson (May 17, 2016)

Newly released by Thames and Hudson, Seeing Ourselves: Women's Self-Portraits is an updated and rewritten version by author Frances Borzello. Borzello has created a vivid depiction of the lives of  female artists through the decades. She eloquently illustrates how women were suppressed by societal issues not recognizing the talent of many female artists and cultures that forbade their expression of confidence, pride and genius.

Mary Beale, Self-portrait (detail), c. 1675-80.

Oil on sacking,  (35 1/4 x 29 1/4).

Manor House Museum, Bury St Edmunds. Courtesy of St. Edmundsbury Borough Council

From the author: "A book that began as a passion. For years I collected copies of self portraits by women artists. One day when I opened the drawer that held them , I realized that I had over a hundred, dating back to the sixteenth century. 

It was inevitable that I would ask if the social pressures on women had dictated their depictions of themselves. What I found was fascinating. Forbidden by the conventions of past centuries to boast about themselves, to work in fields that were seen as exclusively male, and expected to know their place and to be forever feminine, they still managed to speak about their artistic convictions, to hold on to their femininity, and yes, to boast about themselves by exploiting the language of self portraiture to their advantage."

Berthe Morisot, Self-portrait with her Daughter Julie, 1885.

Oil on canvas, (28 3/8 x 35 13/16).

Private Collection

As salons and galleries slowly began to allow women (such as Berthe Morisot and Mary Cassatt) to exhibit their art, the Impressionist era ushered in a heightened regard for these female artists' resounding works and creativity . 

Frances Benjamin Johnston, Self-portrait, c.1896. Photograph.

The Library of Congress, Washington D.C.

Marianne von Werefkin, Self-portrait, 1908-10.Oil on cardboard, (20 1/8 x 13).

Städtische Galerie, im Lenbachhaus, Munich

Gluck, Self-portrait with cigarette, 1925. Oil on canvas. 

Courtesy of The Fine Art Society, London. © Estate of ‘Gluck’ (Hannah Gluckstein)

The 20th century brought about an era where artists broke through the "forbidden" and where nothing was out of bounds in the creation of art. Finally many women expressed themselves freely in painting. Alice Neel's nude self portrait at the age of 80! Frieda Kahlo's painful existence and isolation depicted in lush, albeit often distressing detail. Cindy Sherman's depiction of female stereotypes and exploration of identity.

Florine Stettheimer, Natatorium Undine, 1927.Oil and encaustic on canvas.  

(50 1/2 x 60). 

The Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, 

NY. Gift of Ettie Stettheimer, 1949

SELF-PORTRAIT WITH MONKEY, 1938

Oil on Masonite

16 x 12 inches (40.6 x 30.5 cm) 

Bequest of A. Conger Goodyear, 1966

Thank you to Thames and Hudson for providing a publicity copy of this eloquent book by Frances Borzello on women's self-portraiture through the ages.


You may purchase Seeing Ourselves: Women's Self Portraits at  Thames and Hudson.com

Thank you to my Family, Friends and Followers who support The Arts!

xoxo

Karena

The Arts by Karena

Book Selections for the Holidays!

Have you been through your list and still have a several friends and loved ones to find something special to gift this Holiday Season. I find a book is always a very special choice and something the recipient will enjoy all year long!

Here are just a few and added to all of the books I have reviewed this year,  (simply go back in my archives) under the feature; you have a huge selection for almost anyone and their special interests! Several of these I will review at length at a later date!

An Evening/ 1961 with Marilyn by Douglas Kirkland 

Published by Glitterati Incorporated 

The House of Thurn and Taxis by Princess Mariea Gloria Thurn and Taxis and Todd Eberle: Published by Skira Rizzoli

Cecil Beaton: Portraits and Profiles

Edited by Hugo Vickers

Frances Lincoln Limited Publishers

India Hicks Island Style

Foreword by H.R.H. His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales

Published by Rizzoli

Kimono: The Art and Evolution of Japanese Fashion

Edited by Anna Jackson, Keeper of the Asian Department at London's Victoria and Albert Museum

Published by Thames and Hudson

Decorating with Carpets: A Fine Foundation

by Ashley Stark Kenner and Chad Stark

Published by The Vendome Press

Piet Mondrian: The Studios: Amsterdam, Laren, Paris, London, New York: Edited by Cees W. De Jong

Published by Thames and Hudson

Thank you to the publishers who have provided publicity copies of these fine books. All are a fine addition to any library.

Add a lovely find from The India Hicks Holiday Collection to anyones' gift for a very special finish!

www.indiahicks.com/rep/karenalbert

email me with any questions at all! artbykarenablog@gmail.com 

For those in The Kansas City Area

Holiday Gathering for the Kids at Deb's House
You are Invited by Elizabeth Alex

clock

Join us for a holiday tradition to support our Romanian kids. Lyn Shaw and Dennis Langley open their beautiful home to host a cocktail party with food by Jasper, sale of Romanian glass, and special crafts made by the kids. This year we will also include a sale of elegant items by India Hicks https://www.indiahicks.com/event/india-hicks-for-the-spirit-of-avalon-benefit-uaf/shopping. 
By popular request we are holding the party on a Friday night. Stop by for just a few minutes or a few hours! Suggested donation is $50.00 paid at the door. Checks should be made to United Aid Foundation Business casual attire
.
Friday December 4th from 5:30-9:30
5225 Renner Road in Shawnee KS 66217

Thank you to my Family, Friends, and Followers who Support The Arts!

Please do leave a comment as they make my day!

xoxo

Karena

The Arts by Karena

Jackson Pollock's Mural: Energy Made Visible

Jackson Pollock's Mural:

Energy Made Visible

by David Anfam

Published by Thames & Hudson (June 14, 2015)

" On, around, and beyond Jackson Pollock's Mural....

Pollock's monumental painting is one of the most influential yet little-seen works of the last century. This book sheds new light on its place in the artist's meteoric career and the evolution of modern American Art."

Herbert Matter, Jackson Pollock standing in front of Mural, c. 1947, photograph

                        Special Collections, Stanford University. By permission of Alex Matter. Courtesy

                        of Stanford Special Collections.

This mural was created early in Pollock's career,  in 1943. The vastness of this work of art, 19.6 feet in length is the largest painting he ever created. It was a signature of what was to come, the energy, complexity, works full of symbolism which Anfam explains brilliantly in this book.

Detail of Mural showing the ‘Mimbres pottery’ motif

                        Gift of Peggy Guggenheim, 1959.6. University of Iowa Museum of Art, Iowa City.

                        Reproduced with permission from The University of Iowa Museum of Art. Photograph

                        Courtesy the J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, 2014.

Why is it so important to visit museums, art galleries, art exhibits? Precisely this! One could never explore the intricacies, the colors, the artist's form and function when creating his or her works.

Detail of Mural showing area of signature

                        Gift of Peggy Guggenheim, 1959.6. University of Iowa Museum of Art, Iowa City.

                        Reproduced with permission from The University of Iowa Museum of Art. Photograph

                        Courtesy the J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, 2014.

Peggy Guggenheim immediately saw the genius of Pollock's art and was his major benefactor, catapulting his career as no one else could. Artists in this day and age would be thrilled to have a sponsor such as Guggenheim.

Detail of Mural showing area of date

                        Gift of Peggy Guggenheim, 1959.6. University of Iowa Museum of Art, Iowa City.

                        Reproduced with permission from The University of Iowa Museum of Art. Photograph

                        Courtesy the J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, 2014.

 You may purchase this most fascinating book for your art library through Thames & Hudson.

Much thanks to the publisher for the publicity copy for review.

The author, David Anfam is a leading authority on modern American art. he is Senior Consulting Curator at the Clyford Still Museum in Denver and Director of its Research Center. He has won the Mitchell Prize for his work and has written many studies on artists such as Mark Rothko, Anish Kapoor, Wayne Thiebaud and others.

 My friend Mark Ruffner of All Things Ruffnerian,  found this very interesting link about the creation of The Mural. Please take a look.  http://www.jesterjacquesart.co.uk/the-story-behind-jackson-pollocks-famous-mural-painting-of-1943/

Thank you to my Friends, Family, and Followers who Support The Arts!

Please sign up for email alerts to receive my latest features and leave a comment as your thoughts make my day!

xoxo

Karena

The Arts by Karena