30th Annual Student Research Conference
The Representation of Gender in Public Spaces in the Art of Jean-Léon Gérôme
Katherine M. Feldkamp
Dr. Julia DeLancey, Dr. Heidi Cook, Dr. Sara Orel, and Dr. Sally West, Faculty Mentors
The prominent nineteenth-century French Orientalist artist Jean-Léon Gérôme developed a reputation for painting people, particularly women, from the Ottoman Empire. In his artwork a distinction is made between public and private spaces and the representation of gender therein. This distinction ultimately reflects European perceptions of the people and culture of the Middle East. Through historical contextualization, it becomes clear that Gérôme constructed his images by combining objects, figures, and settings in order to make the Ottoman Empire appear more exotic. This paper will examine the Orientalist artwork of Gérôme and the manner in which he depicted gender in public spaces. Gérôme’s depiction of Ottoman public life can be seen through a analysis of his paintings, such as Arab Girl with a Waterpipe and The Standard Bearer.
Keywords: Orientalism, Gender
Topic(s):Art - Art History
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 213-3
Location: OP 2210
Time: 10:00