When the academies developed into the socialization instance for the artistic profession in the 19th century, women were excluded from this institution with the reference to gender-specific talents:”Free composition and monumental tasks seem to be less suited to the disposition of women,” stated an expert opinion of the Munich Art Academy in 1918 . Women artists have always contradicted this.If they had the financial means, they created their own ways of acquiring painting and composition skills and opening up artistic fields of work.This gender order continues to have an effect to this day, even though the presence of female artists is encouraging.Institutional tendencies to persist and experiences of discrimination are still evident.Much has been achieved – but there is still room for improvement in terms of equality policy.
The lecture will shed historical light on the power-driven constructions of “artist”, “genius”, “talent” in gender relations andrelate the findings to current questions about the artistic representation of women.The lecture takes place in the context of the artistresidency and exhibition of the Künstlerinnenforum Münsterland.
Lecture: Wednesday, April 6, 2022, 7 p.m.Location: Kloster Bentlage,FestsaalAdmission is free.