PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE FEMININE IDEAL
Cyanotype Impressions
The elusive female figure is a recurring motif within Western visual culture. Often enigmatic, she is commonly represented in terms of idealised forms of sexuality, beauty and femininity. Her appearance is largely constructed by and for the male gaze, obscuring the underlying structures of oppression which determine dominant gender ideas. The performance of femininity appears in masses of contemporary visual material, and is ubiquitous within advertising campaigns. Scopophilia sells, but how genuine is its subject?
Inspired by the works of Floris Neusüss and Anna Atkins, this series combines features from both artists to encourage a dialogue about photographic realism, gender and social structure. Cyanotypes of contemporary, Western advertisements document and interrogate the phantasmagoric female conveyed through visual culture, and perpetuated as an ideal through mainstream media.
Hattie Collins's art book 'Photographs of the Feminine Ideal:Cyanotype Impressions' was acquired by the National Art Library at the V&A in January 2019. The book is available to view on request by clicking here.

Fitness Goes Ferral
2018

Yours Truly: Does your fragrance suit your skin type?
2018

Saint Laurent's minidress thrills with vivacity
2018

Margot Robbie: 'That's fun, but when are you actually going to get a real job?'
2018

Clocking Off
2018

Magnify Your Sexy
2018

Little Green: Paint & Paper 1773
2018

Destination: Beauty
2018

Allison Janney: 'My role in I Tonya is not flattering'
2018

Fendi
2018

Céline
2018

We all incorporate some sort of streetwear into our wardrobes, but if I come to a luxury French house, I want to feel that chicness
2018

Gigi & Bella: Vogue goes behind the camera with the most famous sister act in the world
2018

Remember his name: Halpern is your new go-to for all-out dazzle
2018

I'm nutty about Herbal Essences
2018

This season's rule for feathers and fringing is simple: more is more
2018

Salma Hayek: 'One of the greatest adventures I had playing Beatriz was the possibility of being completely free from the pressure of being beautiful or dressing well'
2018
