Art Review: Joan Semmel’s Stunning Exploration of Women’s Bodies
Joan Semmel, a nonagenarian artist, challenges the traditional notion that women’s bodies are only interesting for their eroticism. Her paintings of contorted women, whether realist, surreal, or abstracted, are both mesmerizing and disturbing. While many viewers may initially focus on the unsettling nature of her work in relation to beauty standards and aging, Semmel’s paintings go beyond these shallow interpretations.
The recent exhibition “Joan Semmel: In the Flesh” at the Jewish Museum showcased 16 paintings from Semmel’s extensive career. One standout piece, “Horizon With Hands” (1976), merges landscape and flesh in a disquieting manner. The viewer is confronted with an ambiguous form that gradually reveals itself as a distorted depiction of the human body. This realization evokes a sense of dreamy paralysis, challenging the viewer to question their own identity and existence within the artwork.
Another compelling piece, “Purple Diagonal” (1980), blurs the line between the figurative and the abstract. A realistic body lies within a colorful outline, creating a visual puzzle that oscillates between the physical and the imagined. Semmel’s deliberate manipulation of form and space forces viewers to reconsider their preconceived notions of the female body, moving beyond simplistic notions of eroticism.
Semmel’s depiction of aging women in works like “Parade” (2023) further expands the conversation around beauty and representation. The painting’s intricate details and emotive brushstrokes invite viewers to engage with the aging body in a way that is both challenging and empowering. Rather than reducing women to mere objects of beauty, Semmel’s work celebrates the complexity and resilience of the female form.
The exhibition also includes works by other artists, such as Arnold Newman’s photograph of Louise Nevelson, which further explores the theme of the body rendered strange. Through a series of visual puzzles and enigmatic compositions, Semmel and her contemporaries challenge viewers to rethink their perceptions of womanhood and aging.
“Joan Semmel: In the Flesh” is a thought-provoking exploration of women’s bodies that transcends traditional notions of beauty and eroticism. By inviting viewers to inhabit a world where the familiar becomes unfamiliar, Semmel’s work challenges us to see beyond the surface and embrace the complexity of the human experience.
Visit the Jewish Museum to experience “Joan Semmel: In the Flesh” for yourself before it closes on May 31, 2026. Curated by Rebecca Shaykin and Liz Munsell in collaboration with the artist, this exhibition offers a unique perspective on the female form that is as captivating as it is unsettling.
