That surely gives hope that maybe we are not in a painting of the 15th century anymore, that there is some change happening. I'd tell you how great this book is, but I don't know if you'd get it. Like, maybe you'd *understand* it, but on a fundamental level? No. Maybe show this to your girlfriend or your mom. She might be able to help with the pictures. It's just – you look way too handsome to comprehend the layers in here. What? That's a compliment! Where are you going?'...Bitingly funny, heartbreakingly relatable, Nicole's take on the painted weary gives new meaning to 'art criticism.' I never wanted it to end." Men to Avoid in Art and Life is a gem, hilariously providing all-too-familiar context for paintings of yore: Look at Vermeer's reply guys! Rembrandt's chronic mansplaining! It's laugh-out-loud funny, if you find women funny, of course, and will almost certainly upset men in both art and life, which is a beautiful gift in and of itself." In other news, I spent half the book totally distracted by the various animals in the paintings (the doves in that one post-coital scene? sure!), but I'm always distracted by puppies, so I guess that was to be expected. ;)

Domestic Scene, ca. 1775-80, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY, USA. In Men to Avoid in Art and Life by Nicole Tersigni, Chronicle Books, 2020. The artistic examples Tersigni has chosen are absolutely perfect for her material - the reader can't fail to sympathise (and empathise) with the recipients of all this masculine "insight".We've all seen the memes floating around of classical paintings with a woman rolling her eyes, a man seemingly unaware of her displeasure, and a witty (modern) comment attached to it. I wasn't aware of Tersigni as the trend-starter, but I'm always amused by the memes when I come across them, so I was looking forward to a full coffee table book of them.

This hilarious book perfectly captures those relatable moments when a man explains to a woman a subject about which he knows considerably less than she does. Thanks to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for providing a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. HILARIOUS AND UNIQUE: The classical paintings paired with laugh-out-loud modern captions make for a distinctively clever and playful wall calendar. Some of it isn't great but the great ones are so worth it. Hahahaha. Tis the season so yes, I'll edit this and share a laugh with you. Speaking of the season, this is very giftable for friends and the condescending men in your life.Nicole Tersigni: I think so! Obviously, men explaining things we already know to us is not a new phenomenon. As the song goes, it’s a tale as old as time. (This is the second time I’ve mentioned Beauty and the Beastin an interview, I promise I watch other movies!) We’re just very tired and we have been for a long time. I think what surprised me the most, just because I hadn’t really considered it, has been the number of older women (in their 70s and 80s) who have reached out and said they are so thankful for the book and wish they’d had something like it when they were younger. That’s very meaningful to me. Hot off the presses and ready to depress us! If you think about it, that’s something that happens a lot, but also makes you wonder about the painter’s position, whether he meant the painting to be a denunciation or he just sat there watching what was happening, doing nothing to help.

Have you ever looked at a female subject in an old painting thought to yourself “same girl” as the (clearly) beleaguered woman quietly seethes in the company of leering men standing way too close? Nicole Tersigni did. This book found a very special way to resonate with me... As someone who loves art, as a woman, as a feminist who couldn't possibly get why this book was funny ;D. Edgar Degas, Henri Degas and His Niece Lucie Degas, 1875-76, The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA. In Men to Avoid in Art and Life by Nicole Tersigni, Chronicle Books, 2020.In The Mansplainer, Barend Graat’s Company in a Garden (1661), which shows a corseted young woman being steered around a garden in front of a rabble of men, attempts to explain away catcalling: “You should be flattered they find you attractive enough to harass.” In The Patronizer, the top-hatted gentleman in Jean Henri de Coene’s Market Gossip (1827) tells the woman ferrying a sizeable basket on her head: “I can see you’re very busy, but I just had to tell you that you’d be so much prettier if you smiled.” A very delicate act of ego-balancing from Men to Avoid in Art and Life by Nicole Tersigni(all images courtesy Chronicle Books) As a professional working woman and an educated individual, this book hit home on so many levels. In some cases it was funny - some quotes I have heard word by word not just once. In others, it made me angry and honestly a bit hopeless. NT:Oh man, I love Awards for Good Boys! Shelby is so funny and clever. And her art and jokes are always spot-on!

Through its unlikely pairing of classical artwork and meme-style captions, the Men to Avoid in Art and Life wall calendar highlights the universally female experience of having her area of expertise explained in great inaccurate detail by an overly confident mansplainer. FIGHT THE PATRIARCHY WITH A LAUGH: What better way to fight the patriarchy than to laugh together at Mansplainers, Sexperts, Patronizers, Comedians, and Concern Trolls. Makes a perfect gift for women and feminists with a wry sense of humor, millennials, anyone who loves memes and Internet humor, as well as history and art buffs. and women don’t have to be funny, because men are already attracted to them. That’s why only ugly women can tell a joke worth a damn. Anyway, nice to meet you. I’m Bob.”I think people who love feminism and art will enjoy this. As far as feminism goes, this is strictly playing in the shallow waters, but it still got a smile or two and it was exactly what I needed at the time. Makes a perfect book for women and feminists with a wry sense of humor, millennials, anyone who loves memes and Internet humor, as well as history and art buffs. Pamela Ribon, screenwriter and best-selling author of Moana, My Boyfriend is a Bear, and Note to Boys: And Other Things I Shouldn't Share in Public