Since the late 1970’s Cindy Sherman has donned an array of personas, disguises, and costumes to explore how women are perceived, presented, and judged in Western culture.
This work, Untitled (Madonna), is from an unlimited series. As described by SCAD Museum of Art for its own copy of the print: “In this black-and-white portrait, Sherman plays the role of the Madonna. Although she is shrouded in a white veil like a classically rendered religious figure, Sherman’s elongated eyelashes, accentuated lips and pomaded dual horn-like curls peeking out from beneath her veil play with the traditional historic depiction. Her stylized image could be a reference to the “new woman” of the 1920s whose liberated views on sexuality are in direct opposition to the virginal, biblical Madonna. Reprinted in the 1990s, the portrait may also be considered a reference to the contemporary and controversial pop singer of the same name.”
