Salon lecture – Silenced Womb, the ignored menopausal woman
Menopause is still often one big fear image for women. Discarded, forgotten, old, no longer (sexually) attractive, useless. These are words that often come up when talking about this phase of life. Where does that idea come from? And what effect does that have on how women are portrayed? And also: how do women feel about it?
In Silenced Womb, artist Petra Kroon takes you to the genesis of that imagination. She does this by looking at how the medical world – from past to present – views women in this stage of life, she explains how society thinks about them, and she shows through video clips and photographs how menopausal women are portrayed in the media and the arts. Kroon also discusses what that portrayal means for women, how they feel and how they behave.
In her lecture, she also gives several suggestions on how we do treat menopausal women.
About the speaker Petra Kroon, MA, is an artist/photographer. For her Master Photography & Society at the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague, she conducted research on the representation of women in transition; Silenced Womb. Kroon’s work has been exhibited nationally and internationally and included in various collections.
Her fascination with media – photography, documentary, journalism – and the way they determine how we view and interpret the world runs like a thread throughout her work. She questions the social and personal consequences of that representation.
Her starting point is her personal experiences that she connects to broader social, cultural and political themes, with a focus on female health, both mental and physical.
Practical Information
When: The lecture will take place on Saturday, June 28, 2025. From 3:00 to 4:00 pm, with the opportunity to ask questions until 4:30 pm. If you still wish to visit the museum we recommend that you do so prior to the lecture, we close our doors at 5:00 pm.
Where: In the conference room of Rijksmuseum Boerhaave or online via the livestream Language: Dutch
Cost: The lecture is free on presentation of a valid admission ticket. That is for example a ticket for the museum or completely free if you have a Museumkaart. Look here for more information about our ticket options. Participation in the livestream is completely free.
Sign up: You can sign up for the lecture at the museum using the form below.
To sign up for the livestream, click here.
Note: Only if you have received our automatic confirmation email (check your spam box) is your registration registered.
