Hans Memling 'Vanity' (1485)
Bergers quote is clearly justified in Hans Memling 'Vanity' (1485). He insinuates that Men and Women carry different roles within society, the higher role carried out by men. A mans purpose to look and act upon what he sees, and are represented as an active body, a woman, to be looked at, to be consumed and to almost hold a fetish that she can be looked at, for it to be justified to do so. Within Hans Memling 'Vanity' the device of the mirror is present within the painting; the woman appears to enjoy looking at herself, in a sense its how she wants to be seen by others. Her eye contact is diverted away from the viewer, allowing a viewer to objectively view her, our gaze isn't challenged, its although she has acknowledged and accepts you to look at her; her stature and pose is of confidence and is open for us to gaze.
Visual culture has always been dominated by men, During this time period there were far more Male artists to Female, too, the subjects of painting were of nude women rather than men, a male ideal of a perfect woman, these images a foundation of pornography; more and more nude painting emerge within this time period, holding a Pseudo / pornographic function. Its simply justified as a study of beauty within the female form, which excuses and justifies a mans allowance to view such imagery within their own homes, on a whole, made for rich men to fantasise. An example of a man looking, and a woman become objectified through a viewers gaze.
The gaze is closely linked the idea of power; men having control over women. This idea is apparent within society today, consumerism aiding this, plastering walls and billboards with photographs of semi naked women, so much so, such nudity is socially acceptable and has been normalised within our consumerist society; women are objectified. Eva Hertigova, 1994 'Hello boys' is just one prime example, a women in nothing but her underwear, seems to be enticing Male gazers, her eye contact is diverted away from a viewer, this is common is both images, the gaze is not being returned thus not challenging, it gives us permission to look at her, without ever being seen. She seems to be looking at herself, again the idea of showing us how she wants to be seen by others; too, there is a playful, flirtatious interaction with the viewer. There is a second message which could be communicated here, the image being set on a billboard creates the illusion of a huge female, towering over and dominating and having control over people. A campaign that wants women to feel although you could be like this, with a the product of a 'Wonderbra'. The idea of women being objectified is still apparent, within both images, and society today.
Eva Hertigova, 1994 'Hello boys'
The gaze is closely linked the idea of power; men having control over women. This idea is apparent within society today, consumerism aiding this, plastering walls and billboards with photographs of semi naked women, so much so, such nudity is socially acceptable and has been normalised within our consumerist society; women are objectified. Eva Hertigova, 1994 'Hello boys' is just one prime example, a women in nothing but her underwear, seems to be enticing Male gazers, her eye contact is diverted away from a viewer, this is common is both images, the gaze is not being returned thus not challenging, it gives us permission to look at her, without ever being seen. She seems to be looking at herself, again the idea of showing us how she wants to be seen by others; too, there is a playful, flirtatious interaction with the viewer. There is a second message which could be communicated here, the image being set on a billboard creates the illusion of a huge female, towering over and dominating and having control over people. A campaign that wants women to feel although you could be like this, with a the product of a 'Wonderbra'. The idea of women being objectified is still apparent, within both images, and society today.
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