1.What do you understand the term ‘canon’ to mean ?
As the reading said the canon is legitimately the backbone of a cultural and political identity. The canon is a group of works which have stood the test of time because of the innovation and vitalness to a particular cultural time period. These works go down in history because of the role they played redefining how we view art in the world.
2.What do you understand the term ‘the other’ to be referring to?
A representation of a particular group in relation to the dominating or main group. For instance African people are constantly stereotyped as being primitive and reliant on their physical abilities. Western culture gives the label of “other” to any cultural group that does not fit in with their concept of normality.
“The other” exists in an imbalanced world in favour of the privileged white male race. American literature canon so forcefully excludes the African male voices.
3. What are feminists critics of the canon attempting to do?
Trying to break the representation that has been placed on women consistently throughout history as “the object”. Men possess “the gaze” and woman are treated as objects of desire and beauty. Woman artists have been rejected wrongfully from the canon, and a consequence of this is they have been forgotten with time. The feminists attempt to put women into the canon of art history.
4. Discuss how Cabanel’s, The Birth of Venus, 1875, embodies notions of a ‘canon’ and how Manet’s, Olympia, 1863 breaks with established principles of the canon of the French Academy.
The Birth of Venus is a work that portrays godliness and perfection while objectifying the female form. At the time of its creation it was considered by society that women should be shown in a certain way - submissive and delicate. In art women needed to embody femininity which was about being vulnerable and soft, and in this image in particular it can be seen that Venus is objectified and willing. It fits in with the notions of the canon in the regard to shaping the general associations of femininity - which still can be found within modern culture. However, portraying women in this way was challenged with Olympia which is a much more confrontational image with the woman in the painting staring right at the viewer. Her body is the first thing we are forced to look at and she is propped up and displayed for us - there is no doubt about what she is waiting for. It is much more honest and blunt than Cabanel’s portrayal of a goddess. She is adorned with pearls and flowers which show wealth and sensuality, despite having the title of a goddess. The presence of a Negro women in this work also shows innovation and breaking with the traditions of the canon as black people were not often represented in Western settings. The image is stark and confronting, and is clearly a representation of early feminism.
