The Persistence of Racist, Sexist, & Anti-Semitic Imagery in Art, with Letha Ch'ien

In this episode, we explore how the imagery and visuals that are infused into racist and misogynistic tropes today can be traced to classical works of art, including both the intentional messaging of the artist… as well as the cultural context we bring, and how we interpret and use that imagery.

We also discuss how the art we think of as canon was actually deliberately and intentionally defined in an early and successful PR effort that persists to today.

My guest is Letha Ch’ien, Ph.D., assistant professor of art history at Sonoma State University.

Works of art mentioned in this episode include:

• The Feast in the House of Levi by Paolo Veronese
• Olympia by Édouard Manet
• The Bath by Jean-Léon Gérome
• Alfonso d'Avalos of Vasto (with Page) by Titian
• Bal du moulin de la Galette by Pierre-Auguste Renoir