The First Portrayal of the Disabled in the Fine Arts Cover Image

Pirmasis neįgalaus žmogaus paveikslas vaizduojamajame mene
The First Portrayal of the Disabled in the Fine Arts

Author(s): Vytautas Gudonis
Subject(s): Fine Arts / Performing Arts
Published by: VšĮ Šiaulių universiteto leidykla
Keywords: The fine arts; the disabled; stigma.

Summary/Abstract: The paper deals with the origins of portrayal of the disabled in art. The assumption is made that fresco painting in the vizier Nak­ht’s tomb at Thebes (Egypt) is one of the first examples of portrayal of the disabled in the fine arts. The vizier Nakht was a one from the 18th dynasty pharaohs. The characteristics of the social milieu of that time are discussed. Attempts to find other examples of portrayal of the disabled in the fine arts of Egypt are presented. Other examples of portrayal of the disabled in the fine arts are interpreted as society’s specific attitudes towards them. The assumption is made that public attitudes towards the blind were positive in Egypt. It has been identified that the stereotype of focusing on disabilities and stigma depersonalisation has remained for millenniums and prevails in the fine arts of many countries.

  • Issue Year: 2010
  • Issue No: 12
  • Page Range: 70-84
  • Page Count: 15
  • Language: English