A consideration of gender roles and relations in the Aegean Bronze Age interpreted from gestures and proxemics in art
This research examines whether depictions of males have been presented differently from those of females in Bronze Age Aegean art of the 2nd millennium BC, and if so, whether conclusions may be drawn from this about the social roles and relations between these genders in practice. Detailed observations are made of the way physical gestures are portrayed, and how human bodies are positioned in space and in relation to others, to try and gain insights on two levels. By drawing on ethological models bodily behaviour that is arguably innate, or at least nearly universal, has been identified, whereas a structuraliconographic methodology has revealed postures and gestures which seem more specific to these individual societies. The primary material examined includes a comprehensive sample of frescoes on which the human figure is portrayed; seal-stones, finger-rings, and impressions made from these, which show more than one human figure; and an appropriate selection of the most familiar and best preserved three-dimensional artefacts on which the human form is depicted. A secondary sample comprises a number of images that include some figurines and a few glyptics showing single figures seated, where kinds of seating
Poole, S. E.
A consideration of gender roles and relations in the Aegean Bronze Age interpreted from gestures and proxemics in art. This research examines whether depictions of males have been presented differently from those of females in Bronze Age Aegean art of the 2nd millennium BC, and if so, whether conclusions may be drawn from this about the social roles and relations between these genders in practice. Detailed observations are made of the way physical gestures are portrayed, and how human bodies are positioned in space and in relation to others, to try and gain insights on two levels. By drawing on ethological models bodily behaviour that is arguably innate, or at least nearly universal, has been identified, whereas a structuraliconographic methodology has revealed postures and gestures which seem more specific to these individual societies. The primary material examined includes a comprehensive sample of frescoes on which the human figure is portrayed; seal-stones, finger-rings, and impressions made from these, which show more than one human figure; and an appropriate selection of the most familiar and best preserved three-dimensional artefacts on which the human form is depicted. A secondary sample comprises a number of images that include some figurines and a few glyptics showing single figures seated, where kinds of seating
consideration gender_role relation aegean_bronze_age interpret gesture art examines whether depiction male present differently females bronze age aegean art whether conclusion may draw social_role relation gender practice detailed observation_make way physical gesture portray human_body position space relation_others try gain_insight two_level draw model bodily behaviour arguably innate least nearly universal identify whereas reveal posture gesture seem specific_individual society primary_material examine include comprehensive sample human figure portray seal finger impression make show human figure appropriate selection familiar best preserve three_dimensional artefact human form depict secondary sample comprises number image include figurine show single figure seat kind seat