The Evolution of Birth Art: A Brief Selection of Thematically and Chronologically Organized Images of Childbirth in Vairious Cltures
Graduation Date
Spring 2004
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Document Form
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Program Name
Humanities
First Reader
Leslie Ross, PhD
Second Reader
Edythe Bresnahan, MFA
Abstract
This thesis, which serves as part of my requirements for my Master’s of Art degree in Humanities, examines the subject of childbirth in art from antiquity to the late twentieth century. Beginning with the ancient goddess statue the Venus of Willendorf, this thesis provides a brief thematic and chronological survey of how childbirth has been depicted in sculpture and painting in various cultures throughout the ages. Included in this thesis arc a range of topics including women and nature as sacred symbols, Christian symbolism, medical illustrations, and political art. The thesis is divided into three thematic chapters, within the chapters the artworks are chronologically organized.
The second portion of this thesis is the completion of two 30 x 40 acrylic paintings. Using the historical research, I was able to ground my paintings in the lineage o continuing where modem art has ended. Therefore, the subject matter of my paintings is an unfolding iris, which was inspired and rendered unlike those found in nature and more similar to the colors of my son Myles complexion blues, blondish, browns, and pinkish skin tones) and disposition (sunny yellows, vibrant greens, deep ocean blues).