ARTH 80.01 Ideals of Physical Beauty: Gender and the Body in Ancient Art
Since the foundation of Art History as a discipline, Greek art has been admired for its emphasis on physical beauty. Greek culture articulated criteria of beauty for both sexes and created mythological personas exemplifying those ideals. This seminar studies Greek views on beauty and ugliness, as well as the links between beauty and (im)morality. It focuses on how artists went about depicting physicality and explores the connection between perceived beauty and pictorial style, often in comparison with other Mediterranean cultures. Contemporary critical frameworks and theoretical approaches to gender and representation will guide class discussions.
Open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors with instructor’s permission.
Instructor
Cohen