Abstract

Through much of mythology across different parts of Europe, many of the most well-known villains are women, or otherwise associated with femininity. While male monsters and villains do exist, the infamy that they receive is not to the same scale as monsters such as Medusa, the female gorgon that turns people to stone. Furthermore, the heroes of these stories are primarily male, and the female monsters are used to further the heroism and notoriety of the male hero. These stories have been interwoven with both ancient and modern cultures. The Euroamerican patriarchal system has been deeply influenced by ancient Greece, therefore the mythological stories that were written in Greece have also been affected by the male-centered system. Thus, contributing to the villainization of women. Through a series of oil paintings, the artist seeks to rewrite these narratives of inherently ignorant, evil, and monstrous women by giving agency and joy back to the mythological characters. They are presented to be content and joyful as a form of protest against not only their demonization, but also to the depreciation of femininity as a whole because of the association to monstrosity. Oil paint as a medium is significant due to the most famous painters primarily being men creating pieces involving these villainized women. However, whether painting these mythological characters as beastly or catered towards the “male gaze,” these painters still aim their paintings towards a male centered society. This body of work focuses on representing the women as their own individuals rather than a means to an end, giving a voice to both them and women affected by patriarchal norms.

Keywords

Mythology, Painting, Women, Feminist, Art, Monster

How to Cite