2. The portrayal of men in art and design has evolved over the years in many years. One theme we have observed is the consistency of the focused masculine gaze. The stares of the men in the following slides are powerful, determined, present, aggressive, and even combative
3. Benin The stare of the warrior in this wall hanging from Benin is intensely focused and determined. There is also a hint a retrospection written on his face, possibly to portray the intense emotional nature of war, as if he is thinking about the atrocities he has just committed.
4. 15th Century This etching displays the masculine gaze by creating an image in which the viewer is being looked at directly. The intense, penetrating look of the figure leaves no doubt as to the subject’s presence of control
5. 20th Century These 20thcentrury images portray a different but just as masculine gaze. Rather than an intensely focused, almost combative look, these men look contemplative. Not that these men are withdrawn from the present or aloof in any way, but are pensive and aware. The images suggest a shift in the definition of masculinity, from warrior like to intellectual.
6. 21st Century These images display the less distinct and complicated views of masculinity. One of the gazes is thoughtful and quiet, while the other is overly alert and present. These image display two possible abstractions of what it means to be a male in the modern era.
7. Architecture Even in architecture one can see traces of the masculine gaze. Although the eyes of these buildings are only windows, one can clearly see the facial imagery of these two designs. The function of these two buildings, on a church and the other a town hall, also provide information about their masculine qualities, as the administration of each was reserved only for males for centuries.
8. It is clear that the masculine gaze has remained a constant in art and design over the years. Although the definition of masculinity has shifted over time, artists have always found a way to capture this identity through the eyes of their subjects.
