International Women Artists and War, 1560-2023 - by Deborah A Deacon (Paperback)

About the Book

"Like many of their male peers, women artists have used their chosen mediums to explore and express their reactions to the violence of war, which they frequently experienced firsthand. The 345 named artists discussed in this book come from diverse backgrounds across hundreds of years. The book divides the 652 covered works of art into five general categories: those that provide support for the war effort, those that oppose war and/or support peace, those that document the impacts of war on the individuals who fight and the civilians who experience it, those that commemorate and memorialize the events and participants in war, and general representations of those who fight. While most of the women who documented the impact of war on those who experienced it were professional artists, some were self-taught, yet their works tell as compelling a story as those told by the professional artists. Whether working in a studio or on the battlefield, the women's professionalism and dedication allowed them to create powerful stories about the impact of war"--

Book Synopsis

Like many of their male peers, women artists have used their chosen mediums to explore and express their reactions to the violence of war, which they frequently experienced firsthand. The 345 named artists discussed in this book come from diverse backgrounds across hundreds of years. The book divides the 652 covered works of art into five general categories: those that provide support for the war effort, those that oppose war and/or support peace, those that document the impacts of war on the individuals who fight and the civilians who experience it, those that commemorate and memorialize the events and participants in war, and general representations of those who fight.

While most of the women who documented the impact of war on those who experienced it were professional artists, self-taught artists have told equally compelling stories in their works. Whether working in a studio or on the battlefield, the women's professionalism and dedication allowed them to convey the impact of war powerfully.

Review Quotes

"Artistic depictions of war have long been a part of human culture, but the contributions of women, artists have often been ignored. Art historian and former U.S. Navy commander Deacon notes that 'scholarship on women's roles in war and on depictions of war has begun to expand.' One example is this carefully researched and richly detailed look at women artists and their responses to war. ...stunning color plates...[a] welcome addition to art history, a volume that fills in long-standing gaps in the literature."--Booklist

About the Author

Deborah A. Deacon is an art historian and retired U.S. Navy commander living in Arizona. She has published numerous articles and books on women artists and war, depictions of military women in film and comics, and Japanese anime and manga.