Do You Think She's Sexy?
Sunday February 17, 2008
She's 476 years old and pear-shaped, her skin is cracking, her naval is an "outie," her chin is disturbingly pointed and her slightly-crossed eyes hold a hint of cruelty. She is also, save for a beaded hairnet, pearl choker, pendant and transparent veil over her nether region, completely nude.
She is Lucas Cranach the Elder's Venus (1532), painted during an age and place in which mythological nudes were hot sellers with private patrons. She just finished a stint in the Cranach the Elder special exhibition at her home institution, the Städel Museum, Frankfurt am Main, and will go on display in the same at the Royal Academy of Arts, London from March 8 to June 8, 2008.
The Royal Academy, as is its wont, created an advertising campaign around one image from the Cranach exhibition. Venus was selected. London transportation officials initially drew back in shock at the thought of Venus appearing in her nude glory on posters all over the Underground (subway). A quote from an article on CBC.ca:
- According to the London Underground, the poster breached its guidelines against ads that depict individuals "in a sexual manner or display nude or semi-nude figures in an overly sexual context."
Obviously, I'm astounded this was ever an issue, wanting, as I do, to believe that most human beings over the age of three either have learned or can be informed about the differences between an art-historic nude and offensive public nudity. Furthermore, I saw no such outcry over the From Russia posters, in which five, count 'em five nude figures from Matisse's Dance went cavorting about town. Perhaps mine is a minority view, however. What do you think? Is Venus "overly sexual" in your opinion?
Related Viewing:
- Exhibition Gallery: Cranach the Elder
- Exhibition Gallery: From Russia
- "16th century nude portrait too racy for London's Underground" - from CBC.ca, February 14, 2008
- "British Underground officials retract ban on nude portrait ad" - from CBC.ca, February 17, 2008
Lucas Cranach the Elder (German, 1472-1553)
Venus, 1532
Mixed media on beechwood
37.7 x 24.5 cm (14 7/8 x 9 5/8 in.)
© Städel Museum, Frankfurt am Main
Photo © Jochen Beyer, Village-Neuf
Comments
This is art. I work in a public library, where there is supposed to be no censorship, and yet we would never have a display as such. I enjoy art of all styles, portraying the truth of our appearance throughout the ages. Sometimes I wish my town had enormous statues of naked, robust men hurling spears, and women surrounded by singing fishes sprouting streams of water into public fountains. I am pleased that the underground has reconsidered. Art should be enjoyed whenever and wherever we can get it.
art definitely, both for it’s style and age (maybe a cave nude drawings wouldn’ve been easier to accept
but probably the difference between the acceptance of matisse’s work and the venus is the former were stylized and the venus is more realistic and detailed (pointy chin and all
adan
www.adanlerma.com
If that painting is too sexual for the London Underground, tell them to also remove the parfume adds with half naked women.
Jonathan, we have statues and fountains that you describe here in Mt. Vernon, look outside of the Peabody Library. The way you describe it, it’s like you’re standing in front of it and telling us about it!
I think it brings up several questions:
1. Can art be overly sexual and still be art?
I think it definitely can.
2. Should art that is overly sexual be put in the same category as pornography?
I say definitely not.
3. Are we, as a society, too freaked out by nudity?
Considering that I can see an arm being chopped off on television, but if they tried to show me a female’s naked buttocks they get slapped with a multi-million dollar fine, I definitely think the issue is over-blown.
I think you ringt