Abstract
Salome. Mary Magdalene. Bathsheba. Particularly in the Bible Belt of the United States, these names are synonymous with harlot, loose woman, or seductress. Sunday School lessons displayed these women on colorful flannel boards as a lesson to little boys and girls to flee from temptation, to avoid evil, and (predominantly for girls) not to dress provocatively. However, a Biblical reading of these women does not indicate that they were any of the above assumptions. These women, and others, were maligned largely due to artistic renditions that changed popular perception. Artists took liberties with their stories and, in turn, transformed the reputations of women who should have been viewed as victims and overcomers. This study investigates when and where those transformations occurred, how to resolve and redeem these stories, and the responsibility of the artist in the pursuit of truth.
Presenters
Amanda ChesnutAdjunct Professor, Theatre and Dance, Dickinson College, Pennsylvania, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Art, Bible, Women, Visual Art, Dance, Mary Magdalene
