Mary
Cassatt and Thomas Eakins were both 19th century artists, whose
primary artistic focus was to represent the beauty of the human form through
their many artistic works. Mary Cassatt was an impressionist painter whose main
focal point was to embody the importance of the female figure, as well as the
role of the women she painted. Cassatt’s concentration was to show the
importance of these women in society, by rendering them as the central figures
in her works. Cassatt’s concern was to make them the center of attention to
any spectator viewing these paintings, so their full focus would be on the women,
and the women only. Thomas Eakins was a realist painter, along with many other
artistic traits, such as sculpting and photography, who reflected through his
works the importance of both the male and female form. His first works
concentrated on artistic landscapes. Sometime later Eakins began depicting both
female and male portraiture in his paintings. Cassatt focused on the importance
of women, while Eakins demeaned their capabilities and roles in society
Mary
Cassatts’s, Woman in Black at the Opera,
(16-13, p. 377, Woman in Black at the Opera, 1880) is a perfect representation of women as the main
focus in her artistic works. The importance of the role of the woman in this
artistic rendering is symbolically portrayed through her active gestures, and
stern look in her face. She is there to be glanced upon, and the attention
should be on her and no other. The spectator almost gets a sense of
assertiveness, and that she is definitely in control of her surroundings. There
is also an intense force of energy through this painting, through the gaze of
the character in the painting. Her dark silhouette, against the light of the
opera house turns the spectators eyes to her and definitely makes her the main
focus in the artistic work.
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| Mary Cassatt, Women in Black at the Opera House, 1880 |
 |
| Thomas Eakins, The Concert Singer, 1892 |
Thomas
Eakins’, The Concert Singer, (16-14, p.
337, The Concert Singer (Weda Cook),
1892), depicts the insignificance given to women in his works. The woman in
this painting is not shown as a very active member, therefore not given much
importance. The figure is portrayed actively performing, but the lost, faraway
look in her face takes the power of her performance away. Her body language,
delicate hand gestures, and overall suppleness of the figure reflects loss of
control, and in a way demeans her strength as a performer and depicts the
figure as bleak, and incompetent. In a sense Eakins gives more importance to
her vocal capabilities, and performance, and takes away her power as the proprietor
of this gift.
While Mary Cassatt depicted women as powerhouses of society in her paintings, Thomas Eakins depicted them as unimportant. Eakins works did not reflect on the importance of these women in society. This has come to my attention through the intense analyzation of both of their artistic works. This conclusion can indeed reflect on the views of gender roles of both artists. I do not want to sound cliché, but it indeed had to do with Mary Cassatt being a woman, and Thomas Eakins being a man. Women are more eager to represent themselves in true form, the way they are, and see themselves, while men take their power away, to not come across as mentally emasculated. Men make women come across as frail, and just for simple viewing pleasure when indeed they are equally as powerful as men.
In the end, both Cassatt, and Eakins had their own views, and representations of women. Their artistic renderings, and views reflected on the though of the time, when both men and women had different perspectives of their gender roles. A spectator can easily sense this in the style, process, and though put into the figures expressions, and body language in the paintings. One view of the roles in gender is better than the other, mainly Cassatt’s. However, it does not take away from the fact that they were both great artists of their time, and their artistic works were indeed exquisite.
While Mary Cassatt depicted women as powerhouses of society in her paintings, Thomas Eakins depicted them as unimportant. Eakins works did not reflect on the importance of these women in society. This has come to my attention through the intense analyzation of both of their artistic works. This conclusion can indeed reflect on the views of gender roles of both artists. I do not want to sound cliché, but it indeed had to do with Mary Cassatt being a woman, and Thomas Eakins being a man. Women are more eager to represent themselves in true form, the way they are, and see themselves, while men take their power away, to not come across as mentally emasculated. Men make women come across as frail, and just for simple viewing pleasure when indeed they are equally as powerful as men.
In the end, both Cassatt, and Eakins had their own views, and representations of women. Their artistic renderings, and views reflected on the though of the time, when both men and women had different perspectives of their gender roles. A spectator can easily sense this in the style, process, and though put into the figures expressions, and body language in the paintings. One view of the roles in gender is better than the other, mainly Cassatt’s. However, it does not take away from the fact that they were both great artists of their time, and their artistic works were indeed exquisite.
Works Cited
Eisenman, Stephen, and Thomas E. Crow. Nineteenth Century Art: A Critical History. 4th ed. New York: Thames & Hudson, 2011. Print.
References
Eisenman, Stephen, and Thomas E. Crow. Nineteenth Century Art: A Critical History. 4th ed. New York: Thames & Hudson, 2011. Print.
Kleiner, Fred S., and Helen Gardner. Gardner's Art Through The Ages: A Global History. 13th ed. Boston: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning, 2011. Print.
*Caption on visual works link to photo source
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