Your essay will investigate how prehistoric and ancient artists represented men and women. Your essay will cite the prehistoric Woman of Willendorf and ancient Greek Kouros/Statue of standing Youth as examples of gender depicted in art
One could argue that old-fashioned attitudes regarding gender and “traditional” gender roles are becoming obsolete. In many parts of the world women head major corporations and hold high positions of powerpositions historically seen as being of the male domain. In turn, many men freely choose to be “stay-at-home-dads” or enter professions that were once considered to be “feminine.” Naturally, our contemporary views of gender and gender roles illustrate the social progress we have made as one human culture.
Yet, prehistoric and ancient works of art tell a different storyone that reinforces old-fashioned gender roles (and maybe for good reason). Prehistoric and ancient representations of gender illustrate the social norms of their periods. Naturally, these works of art were produced by people whose lives and values were quite different from ours. Yet, the views of gender presented by these works of art are, despite our contemporary sensibilities, are still very recognizable.
Write an essay that analyzes the representation of gender and gender roles as seen in Woman of Willendorf (prehistoric: c. 25,00020,000 B.C.E.) and Kouros/Statue of Standing Youth (ancient Greece: c. 580 B.C.E.).
To initiate your thinking on this topic, you should consider the following key terms.
Woman of Willendorf. c. 25,00020,000 B.C.E. Limestone: plump, anonymous, relaxed, soft, spiritual, fertile, nude
Kouros (Statue of Standing Youth). c. 580 B.C.E. Marble: athletic, young, motion, rigid, symmetrical, honorable, nude
