Art historian Amy Dempsey has published a new book, 'The Female Body in Art,' which examines the historical representation of women in Western art. The book moves from Renaissance archetypes to contemporary works, focusing on a celebratory selection of artists and images rather than critiquing the often problematic history of the female nude.
The book matters as a deliberate intervention in art historical discourse, aiming to increase the visibility of women artists and offer a more positive narrative. Dempsey structures it as a visual dialogue across centuries, juxtaposing old masters with contemporary responses to highlight ongoing conversations about gender, power, and representation in art.