Feminist Perspective: A Woman in a Man's World

Bryne Westwood

April 8, 2015

Professor Bomboy

HUM 101

Feminist Perspective: A Woman in a Man’s World

While choosing a painting for a narrative piece, it is important to keep in mind that the picture itself should speak to you. The painting must have its own personality, as well as, tell a story to the critic. After careful selection, I have chosen to critique a painting titled, “Mademoiselle V…in the Costume of an Espada,” by Édouard Manet in 1862. This painting not only struck a chord with me, it also made me question some things. Using only my best judgment and throwing in a feminist point of view, this is my critique on Manet’s beautiful artwork.

At first glance, we can see that this painting by Manet is nothing special. Most of Manet’s paintings were not much to look at, but they still created a story that really made the critic question what his motives were when creating this piece of artwork. Born in Paris, France in 1832, Édouard Manet had always been interested in different forms of creativity (“Biography”). He had always enjoyed painting, especially if his painting made a bold statement (“Biography”). In “Mademoiselle V…in the Costume of an Espada,” a woman, (known as model Victorine Meurend), is pictured within a bullring, dressed in a bullfighter’s uniform. Typically a man’s sport, the viewer of this painting, immediately wonders why a woman was placed in a man’s wardrobe within such a tough sport. I truly believe when looking at this painting, that it stands for the strength of women. I can see it as being a message that women are indeed capable of anything that a man can do. However, it is easy to see that Manet could not help but throw in the stereotypical women’s items within the painting such as pink hues. The cloth used to lure the “victim” in, her shoes, and hair covering, are all saturated in a light pink or brown hue. This pink hue demonstrates that the artist believes that woman should still have feminine features. Such features help support the artist’s use of the elements and principles of design.

When looking carefully and with an eye for detail, you can see how the artist created a type of radial balance. The woman is centered while the left side shows empty details of the bullring and the right side shows other bullfighters. The emphasis in this painting is obviously the woman or “Mademoiselle,” herself while the others kind of get lost in the background. When taking a look at the proportion of the painting, we can see that the woman is not exactly built in a feminine form, but seems as though she is larger than the other men in the painting. This makes me wonder if things were properly sized. Some might question if the artist was trying to make the viewer think that the woman was standing closer to them, while the bullfighters are set back in the bullring. The colors of the painting can convince anyone that it is a very dark setting. The little light that is showing, tries to focus on the woman, but seems to shine more so on the other bullfighters. The woman’s shadow fades into the dark lighting, making it hard to connect this to a form of realism. Why did Manet paint it this way? Going along with the darker colors, it also appears as though Manet did not supply much texture. “Mademoiselle V…,” seems flat and frankly, a little dull without the textures giving the viewer a realistic idea.

When thinking realistically, this painting is easy to relate to in modern times. However, during 1862, there was little to no consideration of women being equal to men. Édouard Manet was trying to portray two different messages in this piece of artwork, in my opinion. The woman represents equality for women by being dressed and showing bravery within a bullring. A bullring was seen as only a place for men to be and would have never allowed a woman to fight. On the other hand, this painting could also be Manet making the statement that women do indeed belong elsewhere. He could have placed this woman in a man’s costume to make it look like she does not, in fact, belong there. It is almost as if Manet is making fun of women. He chose to put feminine colors on her such as the pink head covering, pink cloth, and slipper-type shoes. Was Manet perhaps telling women that they have no place anywhere in a man’s world? Why make the woman try to give the image of strength but give her specific feminine features? Édouard was truly walking a fine line with critics and women alike.

Personally, I found “Mademoiselle V…in the Costume of an Espada,” to be quite intriguing. It really made me question my place in the world as a woman, as well as, trying to figure out what the artist was really trying to accomplish. I felt as though I could relate to this painting as far as showing that women can be strong and equal to men. I have had to put my foot forward many times with the opposite sex just to make my voice heard. No one, whether man or woman, should ever feel like they are not capable of something. People need to push forward and believe in themselves. With that in mind, what a fantastic piece of art Manet created. Not only does it push several buttons, especially during the 1800s, but it makes a statement. I also found through further research, that Manet painted quite a few paintings with women portraying “men’s jobs.” What side is Manet on? What an inspirational painting with a beautifully conflicting twist.

____________________________________________________

 Works Cited

"Edouard Manet." Bio. A&E Television Networks, 2015. Web. 09 Apr. 2015.

"Édouard Manet | Mademoiselle V. . . in the Costume of an Espada." Édouard Manet. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Web. 8 Apr. 2015. <http://www.metmuseum.org/collection/the-collection-online/search/436945>.