Merida 

Fernanda Suarez created this digital painting titled "Merida" sometime in the 20th or 21st century. It seems clear Suarez's character is a self-conscious study in the representation of empowered women. She is dressed in non-restrictive clothing, she is armed, and her body is naturalistic. These traits may be associated with an ongoing effort to revise how female figures are portrayed in popular media. Consider the artist's choice to depict Merida, a Disney character known for defying traditional gender roles. This is a knowing wink to institutional critique. Does the artwork serve as a comment on the existing social structures, or is it self-consciously progressive? It seems to critique the institutions of art. The meaning of this artwork is contingent on the social context in which it was created. To understand it better, one might research the history of gender representation in popular media, as well as the artist's own statements and intentions.