From this weeks reading, the account of Mary Richardson and the Venus by Velasquez provides an interesting account of Ms. Richardson's perspective and involvement in the suffragette movement. As is explained in the document, Richardson initializes a plan to destroy the famous painting of the Venus. Throughout the article, Richardson refers to the suffrage of women, and uses this ideal to explain why she must sabotage the work of art. Richardson states that "I must make my protest from the financial point of view, therefore, as well as letting it be seen as a symbolic act" (CP 212). Richardson hopes to use the destruction of art as a symbol for suffragettes; in order to bring attention to women's suffering, Richardson feels that an act of vandalism will allow her views along with other women to be brought into the public eye.
Richardson's account also provides her experience while in the museum and accomplishing the deed. She explains that she had purchased an axe in order to create the damage in which she had planned (CP 212). Upon entering the museum, Ms. Richardson had devised a plan as to how to conceal the tool of destruction. "My axe was fixed up the left sleeve of my jacket and held in position by a chain of safety-pins, the last pin only needing a touch to release it" (CP 213). This quote represents Richardson's plan to destroy the artwork, and provides and account of the detail in which she had undertaken in order to follow through with her plans.
Once Richardson had completed her goal of slashing the painting, she explains that the security guard along with a few others had quickly apprehended her (CP 214). This excerpt is particularly interesting because of the way in which Richardson chooses to portray herself. In the beginning of the article, Richardson's tone suggests that her motives are an act of protest. Once she is detained, Richardson portrays herself as the heroine, and the detectives as the hot-headed antagonists. She states "I was deposited in a corner and left to 'cool off,' as one detective put it. In fact I seemed to be the only one who did not need to cool off. The detectives, the police, even the police inspector who appeared, were purple in the face and breathing heavily, rushing backward and forward like ants which had been disturbed" (CP 214-215). This statement suggests that Richardson is trying to portray her actions as heroic, and the law enforcement officers as individuals standing in the way of justice. This concept allows Richardson to openly stand against her enemies, and fight for women during this time.
If Richardson is choosing to portray herself as a heroine and the security officers and the antagonists, could this symbolize the portrayal of women vs. the justice system? If so, could Richardson's entire account symbolize the destruction of era that oppressed women?
Sources: Coursepacket Compiled by Dr. Wolbrink
1 comment:
Jake, I do think Richardson's actions were a portrayal of women versus the justice system. From the article we can see that she lied about there being more suffragettes in the gallery and that was enough to send every security guard on edge. Clearly, women saw destruction as the only way to get their point across. By destroying what many thought a beautiful work of art, Richardson was able to show that just because one group of people thinks one thing does not mean that same view is shared by everyone.
I like your tie-in to the idea of Richardson being a hero. I wonder if perhaps Richardson saw Pankhurst as a hero and that by destroying this artwork and making a political statement she would then be considered a hero among her fellow suffragettes?
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