Beyond the Myth of the Male Genius: A Feminist Art Theory Analysis of Women's Artistry in The Artist by Lucy Steeds

Abstract

The Artist by Lucy Steeds is analyzed using theories developed by feminist art historians, including Linda Nochlin's "The Myth of the Male Artistic Genius" and Griselda Pollock's "Introduction to feminist art history". The study examines the novel's ability to reformulate patriarchal ideology that has long oppressed women, who have historically been excluded from the creative sphere of artistic activity. The research aims to examine how the novel challenges the ideology of patriarchy, which has long been oppressive towards women, as they have been excluded from taking part in its creative sphere of artistic activity. The study explores the artistic and non-artistic identity of its main character, Ettie, institutional (dis)inclusion, creative voicelessness, and artistic recognition through qualitative textual analysis. The analysis shows Steeds is challenging the traditional idea of what constitutes artistic genius itself, demonstrating the chasms in the structures that obstruct women's participation and recognition in the space for art. By updating "make this art," the novel takes a feminist approach. It fosters an image of creativity as the product of perseverance, lived experience, and resistance to the constraints of patriarchy rather than as something inventible. Additionally, the results indicate the development of a process that finds expression in Ettie’s artwork, in line with the historical experiences of female artists, whose works have been embodied, marginalized, and distorted by institutional bias and gender-associated expectations. The study demonstrates that The Artist is a reimagining of the term ‘artistic genius' and the centrality of its female protagonists to women's creativity, resilience, and agency, establishing it as a contribution to current feminist literary and feminist discourse in art history studies. Additionally, it extends the scholarship by applying Feminist Art Theory to an artwork of this contemporary past: a historical novel, thus pointing to the actuality of discussions about gender, creativity, and artistic recognition.