Amrita Sher-Gil and the representations of non-western female bodies

Essay from the year 2016 in the subject Art - History of Art, grade: 1,0, University College Cork, language: English, abstract: The essay scrutinises the individuality of Amrita Sher-Gil paintings by examining various stylistic and personal influences as well as discuss the artist's progress by analysing three paintings from 1930 to1935. While "e;Self-Portrait with Easel"e; (1930) is clearly influenced by Western style, "e;Self-Portrait as Tahitian"e; (1934) is already challenging the traditional representation of the female nude. The climax of Sher-Gil's artistic transition will be discussed in "e;Hill Women"e; (1935). Moreover, the paintings are being discussed with the artist's personal situation and the historical and cultural context in which they were created. Amrita Sher-Gil s poems get to the heart of the conflict in the discussion of the artist s life and work. Although being constantly anguished by her hybrid identity, Sher-Gil desired to represent a new subject matter and a pioneer in modern Indian art with unconventional representations of Non-Western female bodies. Work completed under the supervision of Dr Mary Kelly (nee Healy) in fulfilment of the requirements of the Module HA3016 Intentions in Art: Women s Art and Gender Theories, University College Cork, 2016.