The societal pressures on women’s appearance are a long-standing issue, and certain artistic works delve into the daily experiences of women globally. Ellen Knudson’s 2013 illustrated artist’s book, American Breeding Standards, serves as a powerful commentary on this, juxtaposing excerpts from American Horses and Horse Breeding (Dimon, 1895) and Canine Breeding Standards of the German Shepherd (American Kennel Club, 2012) to explore female beauty standards. Through a combination of AI, academic coursework, and direct communication with the artist, this rare art piece reveals its enduring relevance and impact.
The Historical Echo: Women and Horses in Society
The comparison of women to horses is not a new phenomenon. To understand the historical context of these beauty standards, an inquiry was posed to ChatGPT: “What is the history between the relationship of men, society, and the comparison of women and horses as companions?” The AI provided an overview of five key historical instances where women and horses were significantly associated in society, highlighting a recurring theme of objectification and standardized valuation. This historical precedent provides a crucial backdrop for understanding Knudson’s artistic exploration.
Ellen Knudson’s Vision: American Breeding Standards
Artist Ellen Knudson created American Breeding Standards to critically examine the unrealistic and often unattainable beauty ideals imposed upon women. Knudson observed the curated images of models in teenage magazines and recognized a growing disconnect between these representations and reality. The advent of artificial intelligence and advanced digital manipulation has only exacerbated this issue, making curated images increasingly prevalent and the standards they set even more difficult to achieve. This relentless pursuit of an idealized appearance has tangible negative consequences for women’s self-perception and identity, as research indicates that women’s bodies are intrinsically linked to their sense of self (Grahn, 2024).
Knudson’s work draws a parallel between the breeding standards for animals and the societal expectations placed upon women. She researched body dysmorphia and the extreme measures some individuals consider to achieve a certain physique, likening it to the concepts of “good horses and bad horses” in breeding. This comparison underscores how women are often judged and valued based on specific, often arbitrary, physical attributes. The piece explicitly exposes long-held ideologies, including the pervasive influence of the male gaze (Ohio University login required for full text), a concept coined by Laura Mulvey in 1975. Initially referring to the cinematic portrayal of women as objects for male viewers, the male gaze has become increasingly embedded in contemporary culture, amplified by social media’s focus on celebrity and idealized portrayals of individuals. This constant exposure creates pressure for women to conform to these standards, while men may passively consume these images. Knudson’s art captures the multifaceted ways in which this ideology manifests.
Resonance and Representation
While American Breeding Standards powerfully critiques societal beauty norms, its resonance with diverse audiences is a key consideration. Knudson’s inspiration stemmed simply from “being a woman,” indicating a deeply personal and relatable origin for the work. This personal connection allows for authenticity and shared experience, particularly for women who may have felt the sting of societal judgment. The piece invites broad interpretation, yet it is most directly aimed at women who can identify with the issues Knudson addresses. The discussion extends to other media, such as the Barbie movie, which resonated with a large audience through its metaphorical exploration of female experiences. Knudson acknowledges the limitations of her perspective, recognizing that her work is primarily filtered through her own lived experiences.
The Evolving Landscape: AI, Social Media, and Self-Perception
As technology advances, the pressure to conform to idealized beauty standards intensifies, particularly with the rise of image editing and social media. The concept of “framing [Ohio University login required for full text]”—the way issues are presented and understood—is highly relevant here. Individuals can now easily manipulate their own images to fit contemporary trends and standards. Knudson expresses concern about the influence of AI and social media, questioning the constant push to change and conform: “Be more whatever, be less whatever. And if you’re asking me to be more and less, why can’t I just be?” This sentiment highlights a desire for self-acceptance and an end to the relentless pursuit of manufactured ideals.
Conclusion and Future Considerations
American Breeding Standards serves as a vital artistic intervention in the ongoing conversation about beauty standards, gender, and societal expectations. As technology continues to evolve, further research could explore how this piece might be received in the current political climate and if its message could reach a wider audience. Given the authors’ perspective as white women, it is important to acknowledge that their analysis may not fully capture the nuances experienced by individuals from different backgrounds, a point Knudson herself raised. Future iterations or discussions around the book should consider how contemporary issues, such as advanced AI and evolving social media landscapes, would be integrated. The work remains a powerful reminder of the pressures women face and a call for greater self-acceptance in a world often driven by external validation.
References
American Kennel Club. (2012). German Shepard Dog. American Kennel Club.
Chong, D., & Druckman, J. N. (2007). Framing Theory. Annual Review of Political Science, 10(1), 103–126. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.polisci.10.072805.103054
Dimon, J. (1895). American horses and horse breeding: a complete history of the horse from the remotest period in his history to date. The horseman’s encyclopedia and standard authority on horses, embracing breeds, families, breeding, training, shoeing, and general management. The modern and practical horse doctor on the cause, nature, symptoms, and treatment of diseases of all kinds. Webster Family Library of Veterinary Medicine. https://archive.org/details/americanhorsesho00dimo
Grahn, A. (2024). Navigating the double bind – gendered attitudes towards appearance-based exercise in Finland. International Review for the Sociology of Sport, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/10126902241307425
Hall, S. (1995). The whites of their eyes: Racist ideologies and the media. In Gender, Race, and Class in Media (pp. 18–22). Sage. https://blog.richmond.edu/watchingthewire/files/2015/08/The-Whites-of-Their-Eyes.pdf
Knudson, E., & Dimon, J. (2013). American breeding standards. Crooked Letter Press.
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2022, December 13). Body dysmorphic disorder. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/body-dysmorphic-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20353938
Mills-Brown, L. (2025, March 3). Tony Schwartz. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Tony-Schwartz
Oliver, K. (2017). The male gaze is more relevant, and more dangerous, than ever. New Review of Film and Television Studies, 15(4), (pp. 451–455). https://doi.org/10.1080/17400309.2017.1377937
Racz, L. (2023, July 24). Barbie Movie Review. Truth and Counsel. https://www.truthandcounsel.com/blogandresources/barbie-movie-review-the-good-the-bad-amp-the-weird
Santoniccolo, F., Trombetta, T., Paradiso, MN., Rollè, L. (2023). Gender and Media Representations: A Review of the Literature on Gender Stereotypes, Objectification and Sexualization. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 20(10) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10218532
