4.3 Gender and genre in 18th and 19th-century art

In the 18th and 19th centuries, painting genres were strictly ranked. History painting topped the list, while still life and landscapes were lower. This hierarchy affected who could create what art, with gender playing a big role.

Women artists often excelled in "feminine" genres like portraits and still lifes. These were easier to practice at home and aligned with social expectations. However, some women challenged norms, making waves in traditionally male-dominated areas like animal painting.

Painting Genres

Hierarchy of Genres in Academic Art

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• History painting occupied the highest rank in the academic hierarchy of genres
  • Depicted grand narratives from history, mythology, or religion
  • Required extensive knowledge of classical literature and historical events
  • Emphasized idealized human figures and complex compositions
• Portraiture ranked second in the hierarchy
  • Focused on capturing the likeness and character of individuals
  • Ranged from formal state portraits to more intimate depictions
  • Often included symbolic elements to convey the sitter's status or profession
• Still life painting placed lower in the academic hierarchy
  • Depicted arrangements of inanimate objects (flowers, fruit, household items)
  • Allowed artists to showcase technical skill in rendering textures and light
  • Often contained hidden symbolic meanings or moral messages
• Landscape painting gained prominence in the 18th and 19th centuries
  • Depicted natural scenery, from pastoral views to dramatic wilderness
  • Evolved from background elements in other genres to standalone subjects
  • Influenced by Romanticism and the concept of the sublime in nature
• Genre scenes portrayed everyday life and common people
  • Depicted ordinary activities and domestic settings
  • Gained popularity in the Dutch Golden Age and later in France
  • Often contained moral or social commentary within seemingly mundane scenes

Gender and Genre in Academic Painting

• History painting traditionally dominated by male artists
  • Required formal academic training often inaccessible to women
  • Themes often centered on male heroism and public life
• Women artists frequently excelled in portraiture
  • Allowed greater access to models, especially female sitters
  • Elisabeth Vigée Le Brun renowned for portraits of Marie Antoinette
• Still life painting provided opportunities for women artists
  • Could be practiced within domestic settings
  • Rachel Ruysch gained fame for her intricate floral still lifes
• Landscape painting initially male-dominated but opened to women
  • Rosa Bonheur challenged conventions with her landscapes and animal paintings
• Genre scenes allowed exploration of domestic themes
  • Women artists like Lilly Martin Spencer depicted family life and interiors
  • Provided insight into women's experiences and social roles

Specialty Painting Genres

Niche Genres and Gender Associations

• Flower painting emerged as a respected specialty
  • Often associated with female artists due to perceived "feminine" subject matter
  • Required botanical knowledge and meticulous attention to detail
  • Dutch artist Maria van Oosterwijck gained international recognition for her floral works
• Miniatures became a popular and portable art form
  • Involved painting small-scale portraits on ivory or vellum
  • Allowed women artists to work discreetly and maintain social propriety
  • Rosalba Carriera elevated the status of miniature painting in the 18th century
• Domestic subjects gained prominence in genre painting
  • Depicted interior scenes, family life, and household activities
  • Provided opportunities for women artists to paint familiar settings
  • Mary Cassatt known for her intimate portrayals of mothers and children

Evolving Perceptions and Opportunities

• Animal painting developed as a specialized genre
  • Required knowledge of anatomy and animal behavior
  • Rosa Bonheur challenged gender norms with her large-scale animal paintings
  • Gained popularity with the rise of sporting and hunting scenes
• Specialty genres often intersected with broader categories
  • Flower paintings could be considered a subset of still life
  • Domestic scenes overlapped with genre painting and portraiture
• These niche genres provided alternative paths for artists
  • Allowed for specialization and development of unique skills
  • Offered opportunities for women artists to establish professional reputations
• Perceptions of "appropriate" subjects for women artists evolved
  • Initially limited to "feminine" themes like flowers and domestic scenes
  • Gradually expanded as women gained access to formal art education
  • By the late 19th century, women artists began to challenge genre restrictions