An investigation into imagery of the pregnant female figure and the reason for the disregard thereof in Western contemporary fine art

Abstract

Through the analyses of both visual material and the related literature, this research proposes to investigate the image of the pregnant female as portrayed in the contemporary Fine Arts of Western society. AHara, (1978: 7) while discussing Alice Neel's series of pregnant figures, stated that, "Pregnant nudes, are a subject all but unprecedented in Western art history". The research will investigate the reason for this apparent neglect, by studying society's attitudes toward the pregnant female body. The extent to which artists are directly influenced by public opinion will then be studied. The, researcher will then be able to ascertain if society's attitudes toward the pregnant female body are a factor in the neglect of the image in Fine Art. Identified art works by prominent artists, containing the image, will be analysed. In addition, the context in which the image was utilised and the apparent reason for the use thereof, will be studied. The pictorial research will then focus on how the pregnant female imagery could be interpreted in pictorial terms. The results of this study will, hopefully, create an awareness of society's prejudices toward the pregnant woman and how the pregnant female is portrayed in Fine Art. The study will, additionally, present the image as a versatile, exciting one, with vast potential for exploration by many more artists.