Although women painters and sculptors have often been the focus of academic research, they have not been fully integrated into traditional lower-division art history surveys. "Politically Incorrect: Women Artists and Female Imagery in Early Modern Europe" celebrates women who met the challenge of being female professionals and succeeded as artists at a time when such accomplishments were not expected or encouraged. Concentrating on social history as well as the history of art, the book inspires students to think about the context in which the women of Early Modern Europe lived. Part I is chronologically based and examines women artists of the latter Middle Ages, Renaissance, Baroque, and 18th century. Part II is thematically based and investigates female imagery and how women were perceived. Developed and class-tested for 20 years, the materials in the text enhance and amplify views of women and female artists.
"Politically Incorrect" can be used as the basis for art history courses of the Renaissance and Baroque. It can also be employed at higher levels as an introduction to more scholarly research on the topic. Additionally, the book is an excellent supplement to many Women s Studies, Gender Studies, and Early Modern European History courses.
Gina Strumwasser teaches at California State University, Fresno, where she specializes in the visual arts of Early Modern Europe. Her articles and professional presentations focus on The Renaissance and Baroque, biblical women, Leonardo da Vinci, and popular culture. Her essays have been included in "Advertising and Popular Culture," the "Encyclopedia of Comparative Iconography," "Romanino s Mystic Marriage of Saint Catherine," and the "Encyclopedia of the Bible and its Reception." Most recently Professor Strumwasser contributed to the catalogue of Fresno artists titled "CCAC Public Art Project." She was the recipient of two National Endowment for the Humanities grants to study at Berkeley and Cornell. Professor Gina Strumwasser also received awards at the Faculty Convocation, and was honored for Meritorious Teaching, Performance and Professional Promise."