Date of Award
2024
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS)
First Advisor
Dr. Deirdre Egan-Ryan
Second Advisor
Fr. James P. Neilson
Abstract
The notion that no woman can be a great artist has been reinforced in the fields of art and art history by the long-standing, accepted white Western male perspective. Nevertheless, history is replete with women who created exceptional art in their own time before fading into relative obscurity. By examining the obstacles that prevented many women from pursuing careers in the arts, how some of them overcame those obstacles to thrive in their time, what led to their subsequent disappearance, and what circumstances led to their rediscovery, this thesis reveals patterns of recognition and obscurity women artists experienced throughout history. The patterns of gender bias revealed in this analysis help explain why female artists have disappeared. Recognizing these patterns and their implications will ensure that women do not slip into obscurity again.
Recommended Citation
Barlett, Linda E., "The Ebb and Flow of Feminine Flourishing in the Arts: Patterns of Recognition and Obscurity" (2024). Master of Arts Liberal Studies Theses. 18.
https://digitalcommons.snc.edu/mlstheses/18
