What is the Feminine Ideal? The Concept of the Feminine Ideal throughout Time and Culture

What was the FEMININE IDEAL during the era of Realism? Europe

Madam XMadam X – John Singer Sargent Note: How does the mysterious title of this larger than life sized painting reflect Realistic beauty?

The Gleaners The Gleaners Jean Francois Millet

La Belle Dame sans Merci -John William Waterhouse Note: This artwork was based on another form of artwork, “La Belle Dame sans Merci” by John Keats in 1819, who based his poem off another poem by Alain Chartier from the 1400s. What is it about La Belle that keeps appealing to artists?“La Belle Dame sans Merci”

Pride and Prejudice Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austin Note: This refers to the novel, NOT the image above. The lives of the female protagonists in Austin’s novel exemplify what restrictions and expectations were placed on the “perfect female” of the day.

Portrait of an Unknown Woman Portrait of an Unknown Woman – Ivan Kramskoi Note: Is it the fact that the expression on this woman’s face can be interpreted in so many ways what makes her stand out as a Realistic beauty?

Lady Windermere’s Fan Lady Windermere’s Fan – Oscar Wilde Note: This refers to the play, NOT the image above. Wilde depicts two female protagonists; one who made a mistake years ago, a mistake that ruined her life, and another about to make the same mistake. Yet, thousands of women do the same thing today and it has no shame associated with it at all. What does this tell us about the expectations of women at the time?

Winifred, Duchess of PortlandWinifred, Duchess of Portland John Singer Sargent Note: How do her clothes, hair, posture, facial features exude beauty?