WOMEN SURREALISTS: SEXUALITY, FETISH, FEMININITY AND FEMALE
SURREALISM
BY
SABINA DANIELA STENT

A Thesis Submitted to
THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM
for the degree of
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

Department of Modern Languages
School of Languages, Cultures, Art History and Music
The University of Birmingham

September 2011 

ABSTRACT

The objective of this thesis is to challenge the patriarchal traditions of Surrealism by

examining the topic from the perspective of its women practitioners. Unlike past

research, which often focuses on the biographical details of women artists, this thesis

provides a case study of a select group of women Surrealists – chosen for the variety

of their artistic practice and creativity – based on the close textual analysis of selected

works. Specifically, this study will deal with names that are familiar (Lee Miller,

Meret Oppenheim, Frida Kahlo), marginal (Elsa Schiaparelli) or simply ignored or

dismissed within existing critical analyses (Alice Rahon). The focus of individual

chapters will range from photography and sculpture to fashion, alchemy and folklore.

By exploring subjects neglected in much orthodox male Surrealist practice, it will

become evident that the women artists discussed here created their own form of

Surrealism, one that was respectful and loyal to the movement’s founding principles

even while it playfully and provocatively transformed them.