Hymen 1884 - 1886

Thomas Wilmer Dewing painted 'Hymen' at the turn of the 20th century when American art institutions embraced aestheticism. Here, Dewing depicts the Greek god of marriage as an ethereal and graceful woman. Her surroundings of lush foliage and reflective water contribute to the painting's mood of dreamlike fantasy. She is holding a long golden rod which signifies the ritual of marriage. The painting presents a romanticized vision of marriage, but we might ask, what are the social conditions that shape this artistic production? Dewing's artwork emerged during a period of rapid social and cultural change in the United States. This period was marked by shifting gender roles and evolving attitudes toward marriage. Paintings such as this offer valuable insights into the aesthetic preferences of its time. To understand this artwork better, we can consult various resources. These resources can provide insights into the history of American art, cultural attitudes toward marriage, and the broader social context in which Dewing created his work. By studying the past we come to appreciate the meaning of art as something contingent on social and institutional contexts.