The idea of male nudity has historically been something of a taboo. But this full-frontal, unapologetically hairy 1970s male – by Sylvia Sleigh – caused quite a stir when it went on display at a gallery.
Reclining female nudes are also incredibly common, especially in the heyday of Orientalism when they became known as odalisques, a reference to slaves and harem girls. What makes these works so enduringly popular?
Origins
The female nude has been a popular motif in fine arts since antiquity. It’s one of the most common subjects for paintings, and it’s also been a topic that’s spawned many controversies. The beauty of the naked body has touched humankind in a way that’s both seductive and unsettling. For these reasons, it’s no wonder that it has been a central theme in art for so long.
The first nude art was sculpted in ancient Greece, when the standing male nude was associated with athletic prowess and moral excellence. It wasn’t until the 4th century BCE that sculptor Praxiteles carved a naked Cnidian Aphrodite that the concept of a female nude became popular in Greek art. The elongated forms of this idealized version of the goddess were based on mathematical ratios and the self-protective pose suggested modesty.
By the Medieval Christian world, however, strict rules of chastity kept most women covered. The nude female finally made a comeback in Western culture during the Renaissance, when artists embraced the Greco-Roman traditions of beauty and seduction. They went as far as to paint biblical saints as luscious nude women. Michelangelo’s naked David was both dignified and attractive, and his female nude statues are awe-inspiring in their perfection.
Realist painters often used models from their daily lives to practice their craft. The use of nudes was controversial, however, as some saw it as a violation of morality. The Academy of Fine Arts became a regulator of artistic practices to combat this prejudice.
In the 19th century, new artistic movements embraced nude images. Impressionist painters like Renoir and Degas used natural poses and vivid colors to evoke emotion and sensuality in their depictions of the female nude. Expressionist painters such as Schiele and Modigliani explored internal torments with distorted shapes and heightened colors.
As art continues to evolve, the representation of the female nude remains a prominent feature. Contemporary artists are constantly exploring new ways to portray the nude form, from photo manipulations of classical masterpieces to depicting transgender women as idealized beauty. In many cases, this is a way to give voice to marginalized communities. For example, the popular photoshopped image of James Pradier’s The Three Graces has become famous among transgender people for the sense of dignity and grandeur it conveys.
Symbolism
The human body is the muse for many artists, and for centuries and across art movements, a depiction of women nude has held an allure that transcends mere aesthetic beauty. These paintings are the embodiment of desire, reverie, and even scandal, reflecting a complex range of feelings and cultural contexts. From the Apollonian harmonies of sacred geometry to the uninhibited and libertine spirit of the 18th century, the female body has been a subject of intense debate, inspiring painters to push the boundaries of artistic conventions while pursuing a vision of humanity free from shame and stigma.
Ancient traditions celebrated the female body as a symbol of fertility and love, and artists portrayed naked deities from Egyptian, Mesopotamian, and Greek cultures. The earliest images of the goddess Ishtar or the Greek mythological Danae evoked a sense of spiritual perfection and sexy allure. These early representations of the human form were a precursor to the nude painting as it became a common theme in Renaissance art, where painters like Titian and Botticelli celebrated beauty and femininity in their works.
In more recent times, nude women have symbolized sexual freedom and power. Artists have also used them to illustrate the passage of time, as aging skin and wrinkles prompt contemplation on mortality and the fragility of life. They can express a range of emotions, from rage and misery to resiliency and strength. They allow artists to explore a range of shapes and proportions that are often difficult or impossible to convey in clothed figures, as their taut muscles and intertwined torsos demonstrate constant movement.
The depiction of the nude female form is an essential part of a painter’s skill set. Capturing the delicate creases of the skin and the harmonic alignment of the body’s proportions requires an incredible knowledge of anatomy. These skills help to create a more realistic depiction of the human figure that can convey a wide range of emotions, from pain and suffering to elation and sensuality. The human body is an infinite source of inspiration for artists, and its depiction in nude portraits has been one of the main themes of painting since prehistoric times.
Styles
While nude women have been a mainstay of Western art since the Middle Ages, they’ve been depicted in thousands of different ways. Depending on the artist, they can symbolize the Virgin Mary or Eve, the uninhibited Libertine, or just the beauty of an ancient divinity. In the modern era, artists have used nude women to explore themes like sexuality, gender identity, and social commentary.
Nude body-con dresses are making a major statement this season. From Rihanna’s glittering CFDA dress to Naomi Campbell’s daring Valentino look, there’s no doubt that this trend is here to stay. But it’s important to keep in mind that these outfits are not for everyone. To pull off the look, you need to make sure that your skin-colored dress has some texture or details on it.
A ruched bodice or a pair of strappy heels can both add the perfect amount of edge to your outfit. If you’re not a fan of heels, try a flat nude shoe instead. It’s a great way to look instantly polished while still ensuring that you’re comfortable all day long.
Another great option is to use a nude shoe as a pop of color in a neutral-colored outfit. For example, a nude pump can brighten up a dark pencil skirt and white blouse combo. Just be sure to choose a shade that is not too close to your skin tone. Otherwise, you’ll risk looking washed out.
If you want to create a sophisticated look, consider wearing your nude dress with tan heels. This will instantly lengthen your legs and add a touch of elegance to any outfit. Pairing your shoes with a simple, skinny belt is also a good idea. Just be sure that your shoes and belt have a shiny finish, as too much matte can wash you out.
Nude heels are also a good option for work. They’re great for creating a professional look, and they’ll go with just about any color of outfit. If you want to wear your nude heels with pants, try pairing them with cropped or tapered trousers. Avoid wide-legged pants, as they will detract from the leg-lengthening effect. You can also opt for a high-waisted pencil skirt for added slimming.
Artists
Throughout history, famous nude paintings have provoked debates and challenged societal norms. They represent a tradition that dates back to ancient times, embodying ideals of beauty and the human form. They have also fueled controversy and censorship, as they have often been deemed offensive or inappropriate.
Nude female models are used in many types of art, from erotic to sacred. Often, artists use their models as symbols of power and femininity, but they can also be purely symbolic or a way to show off their skill. While there are endless interpretations of nude paintings, some of the most famous examples come from the Renaissance period. Sandro Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and Peter Paul Rubens’ Leda and the Swan are two famous Renaissance nude paintings that exemplify the balance between romanticism and realism.
After the rise of Modernism, artists began exploring the nude figure in more creative ways. For example, Pablo Picasso’s Les Demoiselles d’Avignon and Paul Cézanne’s temptresses and bathers are famous nude paintings that highlight the artist’s technical prowess. These artists were also interested in exploring the power and sexuality of women.
Francisco de Goya is another notable painter who experimented with the nude figure. In his painting La maja desnuda, Goya used a real woman as his model and showed her pubic hair for the first time in a work of art. This was a bold move that shocked society at the time.
The Pre-Raphaelite movement was also fascinated with classical mythology, and this can be seen in John William Waterhouse’s Hylas and the Nymphs. This is a famous nude painting that depicts the story of nymphs alluring a young boy into the water. It combines romanticism and realism to create a beautiful yet sexy work of art.
In more recent times, artists such as Lucian Freud and Jenny Saville have made a name for themselves with their realistic nude paintings. These works have helped to remove some of the sexualisation that was associated with nude painting in the past and have opened up new dialogues about the body in art.