DECODING EMOTIONAL TURMOIL: A SEMIOTIC ANALYSIS OF MALE AND FEMALE REPRESENTATION IN PAINTINGS

Abstract

The present study aims to explore the gendered representation of emotional turmoil in paintings through a semiotic lens. Drawing on Kress and van Leeuwen’s social semiotic theory, the study has analyzed four artworks—two featuring female figures and two male—to understand how emotional distress is visually constructed across gender lines. The ideational, interpersonal, and compositional metafunctions guided the analysis, focusing on elements such as posture, gaze, spatial arrangement, and symbolism. Findings reveal distinct patterns: female figures are often portrayed as emotionally fragmented, inward-facing, and visually constrained, while male figures are depicted with existential solitude or active engagement, signaling agency and resolution. These contrasting portrayals reflect broader societal narratives about gender, emotion, and vulnerability. By combining visual grammar with gender analysis, the study demonstrates how art communicates complex emotional and cultural meanings. It highlights the importance of semiotic methods in interpreting visual representations and contributes to a more nuanced understanding of how gender influences the way emotional experiences are framed in artistic expression.