Born in 1932, Joan Semmel is an American painter who has profoundly influenced the art world with her works addressing intimacy and the beauty of the aging process. Since the 1960s, she has boldly explored femininity and sensuality through realistic self-portraits that challenge traditional stereotypes of female beauty.

Initially influenced by Abstract Expressionism, Semmel shifted towards more figurative paintings in the 1970s, with her renowned "Fuck Paintings" that question the sexualized portrayal of women in the media. Through these works, she expresses a liberated vision of female sexuality. Semmel uses photography as an essential tool in her painting process, although she does not consider herself a photographer.

Despite controversies, such as the censorship of one of her exhibitions in 1975, Semmel persevered, continuing to question societal norms around the body and sexuality. Her impact on feminist art is recognized in major exhibitions, including "In the Cut: The Male Body in Feminist Art" in 2018, confirming her role in the contemporary debate on identity and the body.