On Femininities in the Song of Songs and Beyond: "The Most Beautiful Woman"

Vita Daphna Arbel examines the Song of Songs' feminine protagonist using critical theories of gender, treating her as a culturally constructed and performed representation of "woman" within cultural-discursive contexts. She explores gender norms and cultural ideologies, disrupting rigid notions of femininity and characterizing "womanhood" as dynamic and diverse. Arbel's analysis of Mark Chagall's Song of Songs painting cycle illustrates a fascinating dialogue between the present and the past about the "most beautiful woman" and multiple femininities.

Format: Hardback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 13 January 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Vita Daphna Arbel delves into the intricate layers of the Song of Songs' feminine protagonist, exploring a fresh perspective through the lens of critical gender theories. She views "the most beautiful woman" as a culturally constructed and performed representation of womanhood, situated within the cultural-discursive contexts that shaped the Song's creation. Arbel meticulously examines the gender norms and cultural ideologies reflected and constructed within this complex representation, challenging rigid, historical notions of femininity. Furthermore, she explores how this multifaceted portrayal disrupts traditional notions of womanhood, ultimately characterizing it as dynamic and diverse. Arbel's analysis extends to the reception and impact of these ideas on subsequent conceptualizations of the Song of Songs' female protagonist, employing a heuristic examination of Mark Chagall's renowned Song of Songs painting cycle. These compositions, carefully selected for their diverse depictions of the protagonist, their profound influence on European art, and their widespread popularity and resonance in the broader cultural imagination, serve as a captivating dialogue between the present and the past. Through their visual representations, they shed light on the multifaceted nature of femininity and its enduring significance in artistic and cultural realms.

Weight: 454g
Dimension: 161 x 240 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780567700063