“ Why have there been no great women artists?”

   - Linda Nochlin

 

Anna Bester

Throughout history, there has been a lack of individual female greatness. Women had their place in society and were limited to their public sphere, where they had to reproduce and keep their husbands happy. 

​

Males have been a dominating figure in society, especially Western white-male. Males were the symbol of dominance, and females were the submissive. All these were naturalised, unquestioned and constructed by the white male 'superior'. 

​

Linda Nochlin's question: "Why have there been no great women artists?" in a way, answers itself - if you ask it in the context of the nineteenth century from a male point of view. Society did not promote women as an entity able to achieve a sense of greatness like men or gain a title unless acquired through marriage or her son. A woman had no business dedicating her time to practice painting or develop a skill outside of daily household duties unless she was the one painted for the mere admiration of the male gaze. Marry Cassatt was one of the female artists that depicted women in her art as 'the independent', thinking woman, not for the male to gaze upon but rather a woman capable of her own achievements of greatness and success. 

​

There have been many male geniuses in politics, science and art over time. For example, the restrictions and obligations put on women in the nineteenth century could be why women were disadvantaged in developing a sense of genius. Genius is not something you are born with. With talent, hard work, access to knowledge and dedication, one could become a genius in your chosen field. Women in history did not have the exposure to artistic education or the time to deviate from their biological duties as wives and mothers. 

Women are raised, even in society today, in a particular social construction that sees women as the weaker form of men—teaching girls from an early age how to be good mothers and look like a princess. In the past, the exposure women had limited them; in their sense of creative inspiration and development, as well as gaining access to the knowledge of the world outside their domestic sphere. 

​

There have been no great women artists; we need to accept that; however, we don't need to assume there will never be great women artists. 'She' needs to become a 'one' and not fall into the ideological constructs set up by the white male. One needs to question these socially constructed norms and not become victims of the disadvantages imposed on women. Rather shock and prove society wrong. When there are little or no expectations of female artists, you cannot disappoint.