French sculptor Aristide Maillol (18611944) is sometimes referred to as the Cezanne of sculpture as he, like Paul Cezanne in painting, paved the way for abstraction. Though Maillol began as a painter, he produced an impressive collection of sculptures, many featuring women, over the course of his career.

This book, published in conjunction with a comprehensive Maillol exhibition at the Kunsthaus Zurich, examines how the male gaze operates in Maillols art and the changing perceptions of this gaze from the 19th century to today. A photo essay by Franca Candrian contrasts Maillols Venus au collier with works by modern and contemporary women artists from the Kunsthaus Zurichs collection. An essay by feminist art historian and curator Catherine McCormack explores the presence of art depicting female nudes in contemporary museums. Supplemented by an introduction by Philippe Buttner, curator of Kunsthaus Zurichs permanent collection, the book thus offers a fresh and unique view of Maillol and his art.

Text in English and German.