Gallantry: a Form of Sexism in the Criticism of Female Art in Spain (1900-1936)

Gallantry and courtesy were a trend initiated by the painter, architect and theorist Giorgio Vasari Giorgio Vasari. It has been present in the criticism of Woman’s art since the first texts referred to female artists written in during the Renaissance. This article recovers evidences of the gallant language and paternalistic attitude still present in Spain in the first third of the twentieth century in the critique of women artists. It raises the debate about the use or non-use of politeness and the manner in which compliments, flatteries, and courtesy formulas could be a form of benevolent sexism during the 1920s and 1930s. A period where the presence of women in exhibitions and contests became constant. Debate about the effect of the positive reinforcing of woman’s image against the lack of female professional insertion by fostering competition between women artists and false illusions of success.