Nude art a disgrace?

petesteyn · February 11th, 2010, 11:07 PM

I went to an art exhibition yesterday which showcased work by some famous contemporaries and what struck me was most of the works depicted women in various states of undress. Why can't artists find beauty in something else? I think portraying women naked is a disgrace to them. Artists do it to gain cheap publicity.

ruskoz · February 24th, 2010, 11:50 AM

Are you serious? The female form is one of the most exquisite things created by our creator. In all of creation nothing has caused man so much desire, agony, and pleasure. It is a true enigma in the hearts and minds, for this it is a true art form when it is done in taste and class.

SeekingDesign · March 13th, 2010, 03:15 PM

I whole heartedly agree with RUSKOZ, the nude is a classic, a staple, a natural expression of beauty - by our Creator. For a human artist to paint, draw or sculpt a nude woman, is to mimic the Master. Automobiles are shaped like a woman! ...and we get excited about such cars! The woman's body was CLEARLY created to be pleasing to the eye, ...and to the touch. As a married man I love to close my eyes and "see" my wife's beautiful body with my hands, what a wonder! The shape, the proportions, the gentle transition of shapes from one curve to another. Fantastic! (...and that is a weak word to describe it.)

Yet, as a Christian, I understand the anxiety that some feel. Adam and Eve were created naked. What a beauty Eve must have been. (That is a whole different discussion topic.) Yet when they sinned, they felt shame in being naked. Nakedness in art is not shameful. It is expression of beauty.

Sometimes it may be a little lack of art history knowledge that causes people to get anxious about nudity in art. You will find Venus depicted all through the arts down through the ages. During the age of reason nude woman began to appear in art who were not depictions of Venus. Even so, the artist was saying, "Wow! Isn't she a beaut?!" He is begging you to tell him the obvious - YES!

The church seems to train people to think that nudity in art is a disgrace - likely because of the real danger of lust and adultery in life. Must I therefore say that what is beautiful is not beautiful just because my fellow (believer) stumbles at that point? No! Just don't take a life drawing class! Be careful which gallery you visit. I will warn such viewers when showing my portfolio. There is a difference between lust and reveling in the beauty of a naked woman.

If you can set those desires aside, you will be able to indulge in the beauty and appreciate the finale of God. Yes, Eve was God's last creation, and Adam stood up and applauded vigorously!

The intentions of an artist are generally clear. If he (or she) is seeking to arouse your desires, that will be clear. Such "art" is disgraceful, not so much because of the nudity, but because of the crassness of the artist - no sense of style, defective character. But if it is clear that the focus is not to arouse as in a animal, dehumanizing manner, I see a woman's body as extremely beautiful. I hope I do not offend in saying this, but prudishness is not healthy, and certainly not the aim of a godly life.

A woman's body was designed by God to be FANTASTIC - and it is!

kecu · April 19th, 2010, 05:15 PM

I personally don't see an issue with nude art. I'd love to draw the human body in all its glory one day, yet it is a pleasure I'm yet to perform, as my college has not permitted it at my level.
Be it a male or female, the human body can teach us much about art in itself. With a young body, you see such pleasures as softer skin, the blending of tones in a subtle and alluring manner, and various muscles. With the older body, you see the distinct creases with folds of skin and wrinkles, you see a form of decay and age (in which I find more interesting than something prestine), and you see the tones a lot more destinctive. Veins become more visible, also, as does bone as opposed to muscle.
Overall, to truly reminess in the beauty of art, you must see the beauty within the naked human body; for the flesh is similar to art - they both envelope in numerous layers to create a masterpiece.

February 11th, 2010, 11:07 PM	#1
petesteyn Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 1	Nude art a disgrace? I went to an art exhibition yesterday which showcased work by some famous contemporaries and what struck me was most of the works depicted women in various states of undress. Why can't artists find beauty in something else? I think portraying women naked is a disgrace to them. Artists do it to gain cheap publicity.

March 13th, 2010, 03:15 PM	#3
SeekingDesign Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Budapest Hungary Posts: 2	the FANTASTIC design of women I whole heartedly agree with RUSKOZ, the nude is a classic, a staple, a natural expression of beauty - by our Creator. For a human artist to paint, draw or sculpt a nude woman, is to mimic the Master. Automobiles are shaped like a woman! ...and we get excited about such cars! The woman's body was CLEARLY created to be pleasing to the eye, ...and to the touch. As a married man I love to close my eyes and "see" my wife's beautiful body with my hands, what a wonder! The shape, the proportions, the gentle transition of shapes from one curve to another. Fantastic! (...and that is a weak word to describe it.) Yet, as a Christian, I understand the anxiety that some feel. Adam and Eve were created naked. What a beauty Eve must have been. (That is a whole different discussion topic.) Yet when they sinned, they felt shame in being naked. Nakedness in art is not shameful. It is expression of beauty. Sometimes it may be a little lack of art history knowledge that causes people to get anxious about nudity in art. You will find Venus depicted all through the arts down through the ages. During the age of reason nude woman began to appear in art who were not depictions of Venus. Even so, the artist was saying, "Wow! Isn't she a beaut?!" He is begging you to tell him the obvious - YES! The church seems to train people to think that nudity in art is a disgrace - likely because of the real danger of lust and adultery in life. Must I therefore say that what is beautiful is not beautiful just because my fellow (believer) stumbles at that point? No! Just don't take a life drawing class! Be careful which gallery you visit. I will warn such viewers when showing my portfolio. There is a difference between lust and reveling in the beauty of a naked woman. If you can set those desires aside, you will be able to indulge in the beauty and appreciate the finale of God. Yes, Eve was God's last creation, and Adam stood up and applauded vigorously! The intentions of an artist are generally clear. If he (or she) is seeking to arouse your desires, that will be clear. Such "art" is disgraceful, not so much because of the nudity, but because of the crassness of the artist - no sense of style, defective character. But if it is clear that the focus is not to arouse as in a animal, dehumanizing manner, I see a woman's body as extremely beautiful. I hope I do not offend in saying this, but prudishness is not healthy, and certainly not the aim of a godly life. A woman's body was designed by God to be FANTASTIC - and it is!

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February 24th, 2010, 11:50 AM	#2
ruskoz Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 2	Are you serious? The female form is one of the most exquisite things created by our creator. In all of creation nothing has caused man so much desire, agony, and pleasure. It is a true enigma in the hearts and minds, for this it is a true art form when it is done in taste and class.

April 19th, 2010, 05:15 PM	#4
kecu Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: West Midlands. Posts: 0	I personally don't see an issue with nude art. I'd love to draw the human body in all its glory one day, yet it is a pleasure I'm yet to perform, as my college has not permitted it at my level. Be it a male or female, the human body can teach us much about art in itself. With a young body, you see such pleasures as softer skin, the blending of tones in a subtle and alluring manner, and various muscles. With the older body, you see the distinct creases with folds of skin and wrinkles, you see a form of decay and age (in which I find more interesting than something prestine), and you see the tones a lot more destinctive. Veins become more visible, also, as does bone as opposed to muscle. Overall, to truly reminess in the beauty of art, you must see the beauty within the naked human body; for the flesh is similar to art - they both envelope in numerous layers to create a masterpiece.