The Female Body in Art

From early depictions of the female form to the most recent examples, this book tells the fascinating story of how the female body has been represented in art throughout history. A cultural mirror of the times, the female body has been depicted in every medium, every age and throughout the world, and is revisited again and again by artists across the globe. But what can we learn by looking at the way female subjects are represented?

How have these portraits evolved? And what can they tell us about beauty, identity politics and society in general? Amy Dempsey discusses a wide range of artworks from a diverse list of artists and image makers to understand why and how the female body captivates both artists and audiences, and why its portrayal has often delivered a message about - and to - the world.

Features works by Titian, Vermeer, Mary Cassatt, Man Ray, Frida Kahlo, Andy Warhol, Tracey Emin and Marina Abramovic.