MIAMI, FLA.- Courageous heroines and deceptive femmes fatales abound in the Old and New Testaments, these women — perceived as dangerous to society — they shaped biblical history. Their power to topple the strongest of male rulers made them “dangerous,” but their strength serves as an historical foundation for thinking about contemporary causes (including the “Me Too” movement): from Judith to Esther, Salome to Mary Magdalene, from Delilah to Lot's Daughters. The Patricia and Phillip Frost Art Museum FIU presents the world premiere of Dangerous Women, the timely new exhibition that explores shifting perceptions of these historic characters. While some of these famous women in biblical history were portrayed as saving their people and paragons of family goodness, others were depicted as harlots and hussies, purveyors of sin, deadly temptresses and seductresses.

“Dangerous Women demonstrates how throughout history men have feared women who wield power through their intellect and sexuality,” said Dr. Jordana Pomeroy, the Director of the Frost Art Museum at Florida International University in Miami. “This timely new exhibition of old-master paintings demonstrates how powerful women were feared, even when their acts were heroic. As the director of the museum in Miami that distinguishes itself by presenting works that span all historical periods, I want our public to appreciate the narrative of women who are either victims of sexual violence or dominate powerful men, which feels utterly relevant to conversations trending right now. As remote as some of these works may initially appear, art history provides a lens with which to see shifting perceptions about women over centuries,” adds Pomeroy.

Hundreds of Miami’s leading arts lovers, patrons, artists and community leaders attended the opening reception Saturday night. The new exhibition features spectacular and thought-provoking Old Master paintings from the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, more than twenty paintings and etchings of women found in the Bible masterfully rendered by 16th and 17-century artists, including: Pietro da Cortona, Fede Galizia, Pordenone, Giovanni Andrea Sirani and Francesco del Cairo. Many of these works are accompanied by Old Master prints and drawings, including Jan Saenredam’s series entitled Famous Women of the New Testament. The exhibition concludes with modern and contemporary works, including the sensuous Salome (1901) by Robert Henri, and Portrait of Mamma Bush (2010) by Mickalene Thomas.

The opening reception included a panel discussion about feminism in art history and the lives of women in Renaissance society. Led by the museum’s Director, Dr. Jordana Pomeroy, panelists include: Kimberly Dennis, PhD, Associate Professor in the Department of Art & Art History and Program in Sexuality, Women’s & Gender Studies, Rollins College; Mary D. Garrard, PhD, Professor Emerita of Art History, American University; and Guido Ruggiero, PhD, Professor of history and College of Arts and Sciences Cooper Fellow, University of Miami.

Dangerous Women is a partnership between the Ringling Museum of Art (Florida State University), the Frost Art Museum FIU and the Cornell Museum (Rollins College). The exhibition is organized by the Ringling and will only appear at the Frost Art Museum and the Cornell Museum. The exhibition is accompanied by a catalogue published by Scala Arts Publishers. The Dangerous Women exhibition will be closed to the public on Saturday, March 10 all day, and for an exclusive experience with the choral group Seraphic Fire. To purchase tickets today, please click here.