Seeing Ourselves: Womens SelfPortraits

The first chronicle of female selfportraiture through the centuries, now available in paperback.For centuries, womens selfportraiture was a highly overlooked genre. Beginning with the selfportraits of nuns in medieval illuminated manuscripts, Seeing Ourselves finally gives this richly diverse range of artists and portraits, spanning centuries, the critical analysis they deserve. In sixteenthcentury Italy, Sofonisba Anguissola paints one of the longest series of selfportraits, from adolescence to old age. In seventeenth century Holland, Judith Leyster shows herself at the easel as a relaxed, selfassured professional. In the eighteenth century, from lisabeth Vige Le Brun to Angelica Kauffman, artists express both passion for their craft and the idea of femininity. The nineteenth century sees the art schools open their doors to women, as well as a new and resonant selfconfidence for a host of talented female artists, such as Berthe Morisot. The modern period demolishes taboos: Alice Neel painting herself nude at eighty years old, Frida Kahlo rendering physical pain on the canvas, Cindy Sherman exploring identity, and Marlene Dumas dispensing with all boundaries.Frances Borzellos spirited text and the intensity of the accompanying selfportraits are revealed to the fullest in this inspiring book. 200 color illustrations