From age five or six I noticed how almost all of the certified heroes of society - their bronze forms on sturdy stone blocks - were male. Yet what I had failed to notice, until I read Marina Warner's Monuments and Maidens: The Allegory of the Female Form, was how many female figures there are in public spaces. Yet almost none show "real women" (although of course there was some anonymous women to act as the [male] sculptor's model, and often muse). Instead, they are allegories: Victory, Justice, Charity and all of their sisters.
Warner says: "Although the absence of female symbols and a preponderance of male in a society frequently indicates a corresponding depreciation of women as a group and as individuals, the presence of female symbolism does not guarantee the opposite, as we can see from classical Athenian culture, with its subtly psychologized pantheon of goddesses and its secluded, unenfranchised women; or contemporary Catholic culture, with its pervasive and loving celebration of the Madonna coexisting alongside deep anxieties and disapproval of female emancipation.
"But a symbolized female presence both gives and takes value and meaning in relation to actual women, and contains the potential for affirmation not only of women themselves but of the general good they might represent and in which as half of humanity they are deeply implicated." (p. xx)
I'm not so positive, but her exploration of the use and abuse of the female symbol is absolutely fascinating and her subversive exploration of the world of traditional myth truly enlightening.
I can't in one post do justice to it all, but a few snippets.
* King Cecrops was asked to act as an arbiter between the quarrelling Olympian gods. Poseidon and Athena were vying for control of Athens, and having consulted an oracle he advised that every Athenian should vote for their preference. The result came out Athena's way, because all of the women voted for her and they outnumbered the men.
Article comments
1 - DrPat
So the WPA art of the 30s and 40s showing the idealized worker was a way of depreciating workers as a group and as individuals? Are we only talking about monumental art here?
I'll have to get Warner's book and find out, I guess. Thanks for the review!
2 - DrPat
So the WPA art of the 30s and 40s showing the idealized worker was a way of depreciating workers as a group and as individuals? Are we only talking about monumental art here?
I'll have to get Warner's book and find out, I guess. Thanks for the review!
3 - Nick Jones
In front of the Danbury Library is a small equestrian statue of sixteen-year-old Sybil Ludington, who rode through the dark of night to rally Revolutionary soldiers as the Britsh were burning Danbury. Ther are also statues to her in New York State and Washington DC.
4 - Natalie
Yes, we are talking monumental art, but yes, I do recommend reading the book - glad you liked the review.
And thanks for telling me about Sybil. Being an Australian who has lived in Bangkok and now lives in London, I've never had cause to learn much American history - it is something (more) on my "to do" list!
5 - Eric Berlin
Very nice review Natalie -- the take on matriarchy from a literary/mythological perspective sounds interesting.
This book review has been selected for Advance.net. You’ll be able to find this and other Blog Critics reviews at such places at Cleveland.com’s Book Reviews column.