Escala, Stephanie Joy

English 41

BSN-2, NB
04/27/16
The Female Nude Paintings

1. Discuss the content of each painting.

A. Olympia by Eduoard Manet (1863)
Olympia, a painting of Eduoard Manet, was displayed in the Salon of
Paris in 1865. Due to its provocativeness, it shocked the people. The objections
to Olympia had more to do with the realism of the subject matter than the fact
that

the model was nude. It needed to be moved to a higher so that the people will

not

be able to reach and ruin the painting. The reference used by Eduoard Manet

used to create his work was Titans Venus of Urbino. A member of Paris's upper-middle
class, yet he chose to portray not a feminine ideal but a real woman, and a
prostitute at that. He created the painting using bold brush strokes, which was
clearly visible on the surface of the canvas. In the painting, there is a reclining
nude woman attended by a maid and a black cat which symbolizes prostitution.
Looking

at that painting, the orchid in her hair, her bracelet, pearl earrings and the

oriental

shawl on which she lies were symbols that indicated Olympia as a

prostitute.

Those were symbols of wealth and sensuality. You can see from the

painting that Olympias left hand appears to block her private part. This action grants or
restrict

access to her body in return for payment. This gesture represent a symbol

of her sexual independence from men and her role as a prostitute. You can also see
that

Olympia ignored the flowers given to her by her maid which is probably from her
client.
B. Great American Nude by Tom Wesselman (1977)
Tom Wesselman painted the Great American Nude using the medium oil
on canvas. It depicts an image of a prostitute. The model has no face, which is
open to the viewers own interpretation. There was a smile plastered on the
models face. In the painting, you can notice the objects that really popped out
like the gold telephone, red pillow and rose, a perfume and a picture frame. The
gold telephone signifies availability. The red pillow and rose signifies romance
and love. She hides her imperfections through the perfume. Lastly, the picture
frame signifies the models old self.
C. Reclining Nude by Suzzane Valadon (1928)
Suzanne Valadon is best known for her female nude paintings. Suzanne
Valadons Reclining Nude was a revolutionary for its time. A strong young blond
lies nude on a couch. From the painting, the models seems to shy away from our

view. We can notice her almost indifferent or exasperated face. From the
painting, you can see the model with a towel that could be a symbol of how she
is either protecting herself or trying to cover her intimate parts from the viewer.
The models action make the viewers ask questions like, Do her flushed cheeks
and the small cloth in her right hand indicate that she had been crying?
D. Margaret Evans Pregnant by Alice Neel (1978)
Alice Neel painted a series of seven pregnant nudes. The painting depicts
a true representation of a woman bearing a child. The painting shows that there
are other ways that a female body can be use, aside from sexual activity and
from

this painting, it shows pregnancy. Due to her pregnancy, the models nipples are
enlarged and her belly. There is also a mirror in the background, reflecting her
back. In this painting, Alice Neel displayed a nude female body in a way that did
not sexualize the model.

2. Compare and contrast the female nude made by the male artists from those
made by female artists.
Each artist have their own message to convey from their paintings but
usually female artists tries to convey the true essence of a woman to the society. Lets
take a look at Alice Neels painting, Margaret Evans Pregnant. Neel shows to the
society that sexual activity is not the only way to use a female body. Her painting depicts
a true representation of a woman bearing a chiid. Female artists also display the natural
features of the feminine body. While on the other hand, male artist portray female nudes
as erotically desirable.
References:
1. C., Eves. (2012, May 15). WMST 250: Feminist Art Gallery: Alice Neel: Margaret
Evans
Pregnant
(1978).
Retrieved
April
26,
2016,
from
http://womenartandculture.blogspot.com/2012/05/alice-neel-margaret-evans-pregnant1978.html
2. P., & Gounnam, J. (n.d.). Great American Nude. Retrieved April 26, 2016, from
https://prezi.com/zzp1h3qo2ims/great-american-nude/
3.
Olympia
(Manet).
(n.d.).
Retrieved
April
26,
2016,
from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympia_(Manet)
4. P., Tucker. (n.d.). Nineteenth- and Twentieth-century Paintings. Retrieved April 26,
2016, from https://books.google.com.ph/books?id=75KozG4DODwC