Delicate Depictions of Bloody Women: Domján's Folk Art Heroines

Type of Abstract (select):

Abstract (max. 250 words):
The artist József Domján drew inspiration from the folk traditions of his native Hungary, especially during his lengthy--and challenging--life outside its borders. Like his countrymen Béla Bartók and Zoltán Kodály, Domján incorporated elements of Hungarian folk art into his own work. Those familiar with his masterful woodcuts will know that his images were filled with decorative lacy details similar to motifs found on Hungarian folk textiles, pottery, and furniture. They might also be aware that some of these same motifs came to adorn a series of magnificent tapestries modeled on Domján woodcuts. Domján devotees are sure to be acquainted with his spectacular trio of monumental color woodcuts on the theme of Bluebeard's Castle (a tribute to Bartók's opera), whose hapless heroine Judith was to have the same bloody end as her husband's previous wives. What they might be surprised to learn is that Domján also depicted other, less celebrated bloody female protagonists. This presentation will introduce four of them, selected from the suite of woodcuts that illustrate the text of TÍZ MAGYAR NÉPBALLADA 'Ten Hungarian Folk Ballads': "Clement Mason" (or "The Walled-Up Wife"), " Kate Kádár (or "The Two Chapel Flowers"), "Anna Molnár (or "The Enticed Wife"), and "The Dishonored Girl" (or "A Woman in Trouble"). The source for these images is a slim volume that has all but disappeared from circulation since its 1982 publication.

Equipment needed: Computer set-up for PowerPoint on thumb drive and/or CD.


Brief Professional Bio (max. 100 words):
Kathleen V. Kish (BA: UC-Berkeley, MA and PhD: UW-Madison) is Professor Emerita at both San Diego State University and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Her publications include three editions of 16th-century translations (Italian, German, and Dutch) of the Spanish classic CELESTINA. An Honorary Fellow of the Hispanic Society of America and Past Editor of the journal LA CORÓNICA, she co-edits the docent newsletter for the Mingei International Museum in San Diego, where she also enjoys leading tours, including those for children from Baja California. Dr. Kish is the owner of Kish Academic Editing (www.kishediting.com).