The Politics of Beauty: A Critical Analysis of Gender Representations in Renaissance Art

Abstract

The Renaissance, a period of artistic and intellectual flourishing, witnessed the creation of iconic masterpieces that continue to captivate audiences today. However, beneath the surface beauty of these works lies a complex and often problematic representation of gender roles and power dynamics. This article examines the politics of beauty in Renaissance art, focusing on how artists depicted women and men, and the underlying social ideals and power structures these portrayals reinforced.