Women NOT In Art

It's really easy to notice a problem with something that is present, depicted, or displayed. Women in art are often shown in a way that gives into all sorts of gender standards. Something else that may be equally important, however, is noticing the times that women are not shown in art at all. I have actually discussed this statue for another class in the past. At my first glance this was merely a religious statue, upon further analysis, this statue depicts severe, borderline genocidal, oppression in an excessively casual (on a Jesuit campus this is actually probably viewed positively, not just casual or neutral) manner. After taking this course, I've gone back to this picture and can certainly point out women's studies related factors. First is simply the existence of oppression in this statue. Not only in this depiction, but historically, Christianity was practically shoved down the native American's throats. Secondly, the fact that white Europeans did this almost as a form of charity (and simply the demeanor of the priest here) hints at a white savior complex. My third point, which I hadn't even considered until now, is simply how this statue is void of women entirely. This statue represents an extremely significant event. White Europeans forcing their culture upon the native Americans, and overall conquering their land and way of life. These things are exceptionally significant, and affected everyone, yet women are not shown. The drastic affairs were only the affairs of men.