Above the clouds Quote by Germaine Greer
“The element of heroic maleness had always been present in the concept of the artist as one who rides the winged horse above the clouds beyond the sight of lesser men, a concept seldom applied to those who worked with colours until the nineteenth century. When the inevitable question is asked, "Why are there no great women artists?" it is this dimension of art that is implied. The askers know little of art, but they know the seven wonders of the painting world.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Female Eunuch, 1970
Art historically favored masculine ideals, marginalizing women artists and attributing greatness to a heroic, male archetype.
In simple terms: Male heroism excluded women from artistic acclaim.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and value diverse artistic contributions.
Themes
gender bias
art history
representation
masculinity
feminism
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
historical
When to use this quote
- museum curation
- art education
- gallery representation
- media coverage
- public commissions
Key Concepts
cultural hegemony
social constructs
visibility
Questions to Reflect On
- How can institutions rewrite art narratives?
- What barriers still limit women artists?
A Different Perspective
The narrative can overlook women who succeeded within those constraints.
