In the previous article on nudes in art we considered the beginning of the formation of this genre in sculpture and painting, got acquainted with ancient Greek sculptures, learned why sculptors and artists at that time depicted nude only gods, goddesses and naiads, but not ordinary people. Find out why they almost stopped painting nudes in Medieval Europe, unlike Japan, where frivolous pictures were very popular, although very expensive, and were a training manual for young couples, how to properly spend the wedding night.
We studied nudes of the Renaissance, learned who was the first to use women models in painting - before artists wrote pictures only with young men to whom they attributed female breasts - the result, of course, was very peculiar. And crowned the analysis of the topic by studying the artwork of Rubens, and found that he was by no means a special connoisseur when he wrote such lush ladies, just displayed the concept of female beauty at that time.
In the Rococo era, prominent representatives of which were Boucher and Fragonard, nude became frivolous, sensual, playful and not always decent.
Jean Honoré Fragonard. In wheat
True, quite provocative paintings, such as “Leda and the Swan” by Boucher or “Girl with a Dog” by Fragonard, these artists wrote not for display to the general public, but only for private commissions, to decorate the boudoirs of noblemen, who themselves were not distinguished by strict manners. Boucher and Fragonard depicted nude not only antique heroes and nymphs, but also completely ordinary women and girls, giving them a kind of frivolous frivolity, so distinguishing the work of these artists.
Jean Honoré Fragonard. Reading Girl
Looking at Fragonard's paintings, it seems that life is a continuous gallant holiday, and whirling strokes and extreme decorativeness strengthen this impression.
Jean Honoré Fragonard. Swing.
The Rococo era ended, and the style of nude painting changed. It became stricter, based on myths or historical subjects. Especially loved and was able to write nudes French artist neoclassicist Jean Auguste Dominique Engr. His paintings were characterized by the finest delineation of the image and the classic image of nudes, which is not surprising - Engr drew inspiration from the artwork of Raphael and other titans of the Renaissance. His work - a new reading of classical art, performed already taking into account the painting techniques and developments of the XIX century.
Jean Auguste Dominique Engr. A large odalisque.
The attitude to the permissible in nudes also changed. Female nudity was considered aesthetic and acceptable, no one had any questions did not cause, which artists actively and used. But with male was more difficult, it caused protest from the public and critics, perhaps because there are so few paintings of male nudes - no one wanted to write in the table and get into a no-nonsense scandal.
In XIX artists began to depict nude ordinary girls, and often light behavior. For example, Franssico Goya painted his painting “Maha nude”, which caused quite a scandal and gossip.
Francisco Goya. Maha nude.
In Spain, mahami called ordinary girls, greedy for life and sensual pleasures, in which the hot southern blood boiled. And even then it was customary to write nude goddesses or naiads, but not ordinary people. In Spain in those years still ruled the Inquisition - to burn witches, fortunately, the case did not come, but the Inquisitors could thoroughly ruin the life of any person, even the richest and most noble, if they suspected him of heresy. And there was a very valid prohibition against painting nudes.
But there were good reasons why Goya painted this picture. It was commissioned by the Minister Manuel Godoy, a man of great influence, practically the ruler of Spain at the time. What is allowed to Jupiter is not allowed to the bull, so Godoy could well ignore the prohibitions of the Inquisition. But even he told Goya to paint Maha Dressed as well. - and would show one or the other depending on the guest's loyalty, or rather how much he could trust him.
Francisco Goya. Maha clothed.
Obviously, to see Godoy's Maha naked - means to get a kind of recognition in trust and people smart - and others such an honor and did not bother, it is perfectly understood and appreciated. It was clearly not for nothing that the far-sighted Godoy ordered such a provocative picture.
And provocative there was a lot - the pose of Mahi extremely relaxed and relaxed, she is not embarrassed by her nakedness, as if ready to say: “Look, admire, this is how pretty I am, I have nothing to hide. Even her arms are thrown behind her head, and Maha clearly does not want to cover her intimate parts in any way.
Francisco Goya. Maha onazhennaya (fragment).
Maha's gaze is confident and calm, it is not yet a challenge to society, like Edouard Manet's “Olympia”, but close to it.
It would be another 63 years when Édouard Manet dared to paint “Olympia” not for a private client, but for public view and presented it at an exhibition.
Edouard Manet. Olympia.
But the painting did not bring Manet fame, rather thoroughly tarnished his reputation. Viewers literally spit on the picture, pregnant ladies and the faint-hearted were strongly discouraged from looking at it, as if it were some terrible canvas, like “Saturn, devouring his children” Goya. The thing is the realism of the nude model herself - the painting depicts a prostitute who calmly and evaluatively looks at the audience without hiding her eyes, moreover, even challenging society. “Yes, I make my living in a lowly trade, but that doesn't mean I'm worse than all these decent gentlemen and ladies and should be ashamed of my artwork. At least I'm not doing anyone any harm, but merely serving wealthy clients whose wives clearly don't satisfy them.” And here is this self-confident look and a challenge to society Mana could not forgive, the picture was declared the embodiment of vulgarity and vulgarity.
Time has put everything in its place, Olympia was later quite deservedly recognized as an undisputed masterpiece, however, as well as another painting “Breakfast on the Grass”.
Édouard Manet. Breakfast on the grass
Yes, Olympia's proportions and appearance are far from ideal, she does not resemble a goddess or a naiad, but how much life and courage in her gaze, this is true art - not the desire to adjust to the tastes of rich customers, but the desire to write something of their own, new, even if so provocative and not recognized by society. However, the main thing here is to keep the measure, to have a certain taste and sense of tact, otherwise such an attempt will lead to the creation of very vulgar and unpleasant things that have a distant relation to art.
In the next article we will talk about some other paintings in the style of nude Impressionists, about nude in the era of Art Nouveau and avant-garde, learn about the painting of Zinaida Serebryakova and other Russian artists and modern paintings in this genre. Stay with us, it will be interesting.
And what you think about the paintings presented in the article - write in the comments.
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