Goddess In The Freezer 

Edith Vonnegut’s painting depicts a nude woman in an apron, standing in front of an open refrigerator. The title, "Goddess in the Freezer" draws on the art historical tradition of nude female figures, alluding to idealized forms found in classical sculpture and painting. However, Vonnegut places this idealized figure in a domestic, everyday setting, the kitchen. The checkered floor and the contents of the refrigerator contrast with the classical figure, creating a commentary on the role of women, and a kind of self-conscious role reversal. As historians, we look at how artists draw on traditions, such as classical depictions of the female nude, while also engaging with contemporary life. Through close visual analysis and historical research, we can explore how artists use visual codes to comment on the social structures of their time. The meaning of art is contingent on these social and institutional contexts.