A study of women as subjects of art, as patrons, as creators. The course is organized around the roles of women as represented over the course of western art. Note: Prior to spring 2017, the course title was "Images of Women."

In Rome, the course assumes some previous knowledge in theories and practices of art history, but no particular familiarity with sociology or anthropology. The course outlines how the portrayal of the female body, idealized or realistic, has changed through history and has changed, in turn, art, culture and history itself. The idea of “woman” is investigated through its many representations, in art and in media, outlining the way these inform communication of content in different times and different cultures.