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sculptatrix

Sculptatrix is a noun used to denote a female sculptor. It is a Latinized feminine form derived from the root sculpt- with the suffix -atrix, which in Latin creates agent nouns for women who perform an action. In English, sculptatrix appears chiefly in scholarly or historical contexts and is far less common in everyday usage, where “sculptor” is often treated as gender-neutral. The term contrasts with “sculptress,” a traditional English feminine form, and with the French-derived “sculptrice.”

Historical usage and context: In classical Latin inscriptions and texts, female sculptors are rarely named, and

Contemporary usage: Today, most female artists working in sculpture are identified simply as sculptors. The word

See also: See sculptor, sculptress, and sculptural. Etymology notes: Latin feminine agent noun formation with -atrix;

the
form
sculptatrix
appears
infrequently.
When
used
by
scholars,
it
typically
serves
to
preserve
Latin
gender
form
in
discussions
of
ancient
art
and
artists
or
in
translations
that
aim
to
reflect
gendered
language
in
the
original
texts.
sculptatrix
is
therefore
largely
archival
or
academic,
appearing
in
translations,
glossaries,
or
discussions
of
Latin
grammar
and
art
history
rather
than
as
a
common
self-designation.
related
forms
include
sculptrice
in
French
and
the
gendered
English
variants
used
across
historical
periods.