Skip to content

(All those paintings of women, in art galleries, surprised…

“(All those paintings of women, in art galleries, surprised at private moments. Nymph Sleeping. Susanna and the Elders. Woman bathing, one foot in a tin tub - Renoir, or was it Degas? both, both women plump. Diana and her maidens, a moment before they catch the hunter's prying eyes. Never any…” quote by Margaret Atwood
Download Open image
““(All those paintings of women, in art galleries, surprised at private moments. Nymph Sleeping. Susanna and the Elders. Woman bathing, one foot in a tin tub - Renoir, or was it Degas? both, both women plump. Diana and her maidens, a moment before they catch the hunter's prying eyes. Never any paintings called Man Washing Socks in Sink.)””

Margaret Atwood

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Art historically depicts women in passive, eroticized scenes, never ordinary tasks like washing socks.

In simple terms: Women are shown in sensual art, not in mundane activities.

Key Takeaway

Advocate for broader representation of women in art.

Themes

gender art history representation

Mood

critical thoughtful

Type

cultural analytical

When to use this quote

  • museum curation
  • art education
  • media criticism
  • creative practice

Key Concepts

visual culture stereotypes

Questions to Reflect On

  • Why are everyday women rarely depicted in fine art?
  • How can artists challenge these norms?
A Different Perspective

Changing entrenched artistic conventions is slow and contested.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Margaret Atwood

Explore all 2,072 Margaret Atwood quotes

More Art quotes

Browse all 48,643 Art quotes