1. What is the Feminine Ideal? The Concept of the Feminine Ideal throughout Time and Culture

2. What was the FEMININE IDEAL during the Neo-Classical time period? 1730-1800 Europe

3. Self Portrait with a Harp Self Portrait with a Harp – Rose Adelaide Ducreux Note: “By portraying her musical talents along with her considerable painting skills, Ducreux presents herself as an exemplar of feminine refinement, able to shift gracefully between art and music.” -The Metropolitan Museum of Art

4. Pauline Borghese as Venus Pauline Borghese as Venus -Antonio Canova NOTE: You may find it helpful to know who both Pauline Borghese and Venus are in addition to focusing on how she is portrayed.

5. Diana Leaving the Bath Diana Leaving the Bath – François Boucher Note: The symbolism in this painting adds to the Roman goddess, Diana’s, feminine appeal in this time that yet again draws from Ancient Roman and Greek influences.

6. Death of Cleopatra Death of Cleopatra – Edmonia Lewis Note: Edmonia Lewis was the first female African American and native American woman to become an internationally acclaimed artist. Even though she sculpted during the 1860s, her style is clearly Neo- Classical. Research why her portrayal of Cleopatra is considered so beautiful.

7. Lover’s Vows Lover’s Vows – Elizabeth Inchbald Note: The artwork here is the play itself, NOT the image above. The plot of this play, as well as, researching the author’s lifestyle and opinions should make it clear why it exclaims the ideal feminine beauty of the Neo-Classical era.

8. A Vindication of the Rights of Women A Vindication of the Rights of Women Mary Wollstonecraft Note: The artwork here is the literature, NOT the images to the right. Wollstonecraft’s lifestyle is reflected in her uniquely themed works which changed the image of feminine beauty forever.

9. Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss – Antonio Canova Note: This narrative piece really needs to be viewed from multiple angles; something you might do while researching the story of Cupid and Psyche.