Gender/Sexuality in Art Flashcards
Do male or female subjects dominate the genre figure corpus?
male
What mythical homosexuality was particularly popular in 5th cent BCE?
Zeus and Ganymede
What was unique about the pederastic relationship compared to others in our and the ancient world?
it appears to have been a SOCIAL INSTITUTION rather than merely a sexual and/romantic attraction between an older and younger man
What is the name for the pose pederastic couples are often shown in?
‘up and down’
What are two couples commonly theorised as to being pederastic?
Achilles and Patroclus(erastes)
Harmodius and Aristogeiton(e)
What differs between homosexual art of greece and rome?
G homosexuality in art is more explicit and frequent whereas literature is a better source in roman context
Who was Caeneus? Signif?
Mythical Lapith Hero who Ovid records as born a woman but transitions in life after Poseidon rapes him. Centaurs were his main enemy and used the fact he was born a woman against him.
Depicted in art in fights against Centaurs
What term is used in non-derogatory way for gender fluidity in G?
hermaphroditsm
How does the G pantheon represent ancient gender fluidity?
Some Gods/Goddesses exhibit charcteristics typical of other genders.
What characteristics show a masculinity to Athena?
role in war
doesn’t have a direct mother
helps male heroes
virgin (not fully realised femininity(?))
What characteristics show blended gender role of Dionysos?
Representation as clean shaven w long curly hair.
Bacchae describes him as being pale skinned and w long hair.
Largely worshipped by women.
What are the possible roles representations of Hermaphrodites played in Classical art?
erotica
artistic exploration of non-normative bodies
rep of beauty standards
What terms appear to be used synomonously in Hdt and Hipp corpus? Slight distinction?
androgyne, hermaphrodite, eunuch
Androgyne and Herm. appar to have a degree of divinity
What does Plato say on gender fluidity?
He describes a beginning stage of humanity starting with three forms - a man, a woman, and one w equal shares of both (‘man-woman’)
What was the story of Hermaphroditus acc to Ovid? Halicarnassus elegaic inscrip?
Ovid’s version: While travelling he is assaulted by water nymph Salmacis who calls out for them to be one; gods grant this wish and he is transformed to a being of both genders.
Halicarnassus: Salmacis raised the boy and taught him about love and marriage.
