Agony in the Garden 

Miriam Schapiro created "Agony in the Garden" as a response to her experiences as a woman in the male-dominated art world. The central figure, resembling Frida Kahlo, is enclosed by a colorful yet chaotic garden, a space that seems both inviting and imprisoning. Schapiro uses the image of Kahlo to explore themes of pain, resilience, and the search for identity. Kahlo, like Schapiro, faced numerous challenges in both her personal and professional life. This figure is bound by what appears to be some sort of medical device. The work speaks to the constraints placed on women, both physically and metaphorically, by societal expectations and patriarchal structures. Schapiro, a pioneer of feminist art, often incorporated traditionally "feminine" materials and techniques into her work, challenging the art world's gendered hierarchies. "Agony in the Garden" is emotionally charged, a raw expression of the struggles and strength of women artists. It speaks to the personal and the political, reflecting the pain of individual experience and the collective struggle for equality and recognition.