IN HER OWN IMAGE: WOMEN ARTISTS AND THEIR SELF-PORTRAITS

Abstract

Within Art History many women artists have been left out of intellectual discussion. Many women artists were often systematically excluded from receiving training or work. There are many female artists who produced works during every major art historical movement, who still aren't researched or examined. There are many female artists who produced works during every major art historical movement, who still aren't researched or examined. This thesis seeks to contribute to further academic inquiry of women artists and their self-portraits. Many female artists were only accepted as portraitist, thus women artists who complete self-portraits are faced with the dual conundrum of representing themselves aesthetically and presenting their work as substantially impressive for a discipline that may not want them there. This thesis focuses on three female artists, Artemisia Gentileschi, a 17th century Baroque artist; Mary Cassatt, a 19th century Impressionist; and Remedios Varo, a 20th century Surrealist. There is a discussion of their careers and an analysis of one of each of their self-portraits. This thesis contains a final section about my experience creating my own self-portrait.