What are metaphors and Allegory? A metaphor is a figure of speech. It involves comparison to the same as another otherwise unrelated object. An allegory is something seen as symbolic rather then in the literal sense.
And how is it shown through art and photography today? Here is Sarah Lucas's image called 'Self Portrait with fried eggs' from 1996.
The key metaphor here are the two fried eggs. These are there to represent her breasts. The image suggests that she has done this to reiterate that she is in fact a woman, despite the masculine slouched pose she is sat in. She is also wearing masculine clothing and large industrial shoes. I think that Lucas is trying to bring up the debate about stereotypes and if in fact you have to dress in an overly feminine way to be a woman. Are you not allowed to dress like this and still be proud to be a woman? The fact that she is sat in a kitchen also adds to the stereotypes of women belonging in the kitchen making food. This is a great image because Lucas has portrayed so many messages in various ways some subtle and some obvious. On close inspection there is a pack of cigarettes on the floor adding to this. The camera angle Lucas has used also indicates that maybe woman are looked down on in to days world. The camera angle also makes Lucas look vulnerable.