The Role of Women in Classical Art

Dalmacio Payomo and Yoshie Kateada

Presentation Outline

I. Introduction
II. Sleeping Beauty
III. Persephone
IV. Antigone
V. Trends in the Future
VI. Summary
VII. Conclusion and Discussion

Purposes

1. Preserving and enhancing culture

2. Serves as a metaphor

Thesis

Many of the classics incorporate female archetypes which

function to define the roles that society deems appropriate for
women, namely as caretakers and objects of affection that are in
need of protection. These classics also serve as a metaphor for
the role of women in society, both at the time they were made and
now, which points to the gender inequality that exists due to
women's worth as defined by men. These aspects of female
identity have become deeply ingrained in the cultures collective
consciousness.

Sleeping Beauty: Definition

Story Overview
Characters

Sleeping Beauty: Factors

Historical Context
Marius Petipa
Court Dance
Architecture
Music

Sleeping Beauty: Function

Used as a tool by the monarchy

The manifestation of ideal femininity

Presenting perfection or something to
strive for
Idealized vision of elegance and
decorum

Sleeping Beauty: Function

Lilac Fairy emphasizes role of women as:

Caring and helpful
Ethereal
Beautiful

Sleeping Beauty: Function

Aurora emphasizes role of women as:

Innocent victim of fate
Trusting
Pure

Sleeping Beauty Video

Take note of gestures

http://youtu.be/e-a4HjwuuEs?t=29m1s
http://youtu.be/e-a4HjwuuEs?t=58m51s

Other Classical Ballets

La Sylphide
Romeo and Juliet

Literature Parallel: Persephone

Definition

Greek Mythology
Overview of Story
Characters
How it parallels Sleeping Beauty

Persephone: Factors

Mother/Daughter Relationships
The Dominance of Fate
Fluid Nature of Mythology

Persephone: Functions

Persephone emphasizes the role of women as:

Beautiful and desired by men
Victim of circumstance
Contrast: queen of the underworld-powerful

Persephone: Functions

Demeter emphasizes the role of women as:

Devoted mother
Grief stricken victim
Temperamental

Theatre Contrast: Antigone

Definition

Sophocles
Overview of Story
Characters
Contrast to Sleeping Beauty

Antigone: Factors
Historical Context
Written during a time of war and conflict
Athens a democracy
The chorus

Antigone: Function
Antigone emphasizes role of women as:
Defiant
Driven
Decisive
Meaning of the name: Antigone

Trends in the Future

Women in art today

More opportunities for women
Women are more visible in art/making art
Ballet retains previous values that are no longer relevant/relatable to women in society today

Trends in the Future: Sleeping Beauty

http://youtu.be/ef0vtMqydDU?t=4m53s

Matthew Bourne
Mats Ek

Summary

These classics serve to preserve cultural concepts of the ideal women

These classics are a metaphor for the role of women in society, both as conformists and rebels.

Conclusion

Why is this information important?

Subliminal Messages in Art
Making Informed Decisions as Artists

Questions to Ponder...

Do these metaphors/depictions caste a positive or

negative light on women?
What elements are shared by Petipas original Sleeping
Beauty and Mats Eks re-creation? How do they differ?
In the larger picture, how have womens roles in art
changed throughout history?