Nudity in Art and Society

Olympia, 1865 by Edouard Manet

We all know about the "modern" censorship of nipples and butts that some artists face these days, but let's talk about the female body in particular for this blog.

I won't bore you with the details of today's art world censorship issues - there are plenty of great articles about that online, so just hop on the web, dude.

Instead, let's focus on the history of the female body, whether it's nude or clothed, and how it has led to the more free practices and craftsmanship we see today. And let's start with those weird old paintings that make all the women look like masculine aliens.

Back in the day, female models were not commonly used in anatomy education for a few reasons. One of the main reasons was that it was considered taboo to use nude female models due to cultural and societal beliefs, and this was the case pretty much everywhere, not just in the West. Female nudity was often linked with sin and shame. Additionally, there weren't as many women who had the opportunity to participate in artistic and academic pursuits, so there weren't as many female models available. It's surprising to see how many famous paintings with female figures appear to have been based on male models.

By the way, I'd love to see a painting of your choice that seems to be based on a male model. Feel free to email it to me!

One practical reason male models were used more frequently than female models in anatomy education was that it was easier to obtain male cadavers, especially in medical schools where dissection was crucial for studying human anatomy. This meant that male artists and anatomists had greater opportunities to study the male body. On the other hand, there were concerns about the health risks associated with the chemical preservatives used in preparing female cadavers. It's not like we're witches or anything, but apparently, there were some differences in how female cadavers were handled.

Although female models were not as common as male models in the past, they still posed for artists and anatomists throughout history. Recently, there has been a push to use more diverse models, including women and underrepresented groups, to make anatomy education more inclusive.

Why are female nipples still censored?

The taboo around showing female nipples in art is due to old-fashioned ideas about nudity, gender roles, and sexuality. Female bodies were often viewed as objects solely for sexual pleasure, and displaying female nipples was considered improper. Legal and business reasons also contribute, as showing female nipples in public or media is often prohibited while male nipples are not. This double standard reinforces the taboo around female nipples. However, recent years have seen a push for more diversity and representation in all aspects of life, including art. Efforts are being made to challenge old ways of thinking and promote body positivity and inclusivity.

Olympia

Nudity has been associated with goddesses in ancient civilizations, and artists often depicted them in the nude or partially clothed to convey qualities such as fertility, beauty, and sexuality. However, the interpretation of nudity in art is subjective and can vary based on cultural and historical context.

"Olympia" is a painting by Edouard Manet that caused controversy when it was displayed at the Paris Salon in 1865. The painting depicts a naked woman who is shown as a prostitute. Critics didn't like the painting because it showed female sexuality frankly and didn't idealize the woman's body. The model's bold gaze also made some people uncomfortable. Despite the negative reviews, "Olympia" is now considered an important work of modern art.

"Olympia" is a perfect example of how nudity can challenge society's views on the female figure and idealism. This idealism may still be present in the industry and our society, causing a toxic and demonizing attitude towards women and underrepresented groups.

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What are your thoughts on this matter? This is a MASSIVE topic and it would be great to have different views on it.

'til next time!