Painted by a woman.... does it show?

[Carol Norton]

Number 2 was my choice for the female artist. A bit of pontificating: The male point of view is to eliminate detail: go right to the point. The focus of the hunter is like that of a cat watching a mouse (or a male watching T.V.) #2 is exhibits more detail - the multi-tasker - the female watching children, weaving, ........ or, today, maybe .......painting? If this sounds sexist, it is. We ARE different - THANK GOODNESS!

[Julie Deane]

I go for no. two, because the woman in the painting appears to be looking without hesitation, somewhat directly, at the painter. There appears to be a relationship of sorts between the depictor and dipictee.

Relationships tend to matter more to women, I think. Also, I doubt the interaction I see would have been so direct if the artist had been male, especially in Japanese culture.

Anyway, painting no. 2 feels more feminine to me: look at those wonderful curves in the kimono.