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Is it derogatory to use female nudes in art?

Figure 1. Actaea, the Nymph of the Shore [Image]. 1896. http://allart.biz/photos/image-
6749.html (accessed March 7, 2014)

In the year 1896, artist Lord Leighton painted the Actaea, the Nymph of the Shore(Figure
1). It depicted the female nude, and it added to the controversy that surrounded the use of
nudes during that period. Despite the fact that nudes have been used in art for centuries, there
is still controversy over the use of the female nude in art, whether it is derogatory, or whether
it has just been misinterpreted by the observer. The use of the female nude in art is in no way
derogative or disrespectful. It is because of different peoples opinions on the use of the nude
in art; their cultural, religious and individual beliefs, which impact on the true meaning
intended by the artist. The gender of the nude, can also affect the acceptance of the nude in
society. It is my belief that it is not derogatory to use female nudes in art. Instead the female
nude is required for the artist to learn how to accurately draw the human form. I will support
my argument by analysing a number of nude paintings from the 18
th
and 19
th
century.

The issue of female nudes being derogative to women verses female nudes being essential to
art training has been debated by the public for centuries. Brian Yoder (n.d.) argued that an
individuals right to freely create has often been lost due to the anti-nudity discourse. It is
therefore important to establish some of the reasons behind both sides of the argument. Many
artists raise the idea that it is essential to use both the male and female nudes in art training
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as it allows the artist the opportunity to learn how to accurately draw the human form.
Winarski (1995, 40) for example, expresses the idea that students need to be able to
understand the meaning behind their work, to enable both the observer and themselves to
interpret the work clearly. Artists also argue that if nudes are forbidden from the classroom,
then this would in fact prevent the learning process and stop other artists from acquiring these
fundamental skills It would be virtually impossible to teach someone how to draw accurate
human anatomy without this essential tool (Yoder n.d.).

Figure 2. London: Queen Victoria's Fig Leaf [Image]. 2002.
http://www.gunnzone.org/KingDavid/CoveringDavid.html (accessed May 9, 2014)

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If the academic structure of art classes is altered every time controversy arises, then the
student would have many holes in their education. This could lead to the student
misunderstanding basic ideologies, resulting in the misuse of the nude. Written in 1879, the
author of The Nude in Art expresses that some artists have added to the confusion
experienced by the public, due to their misuse of the nude (The Nude in Art 1897, 114). On
the other hand, Brian Yoder (n.d.) believes that the lack of understanding of how art is taught
is what brings about the negative view of the female nude in art. A lack of proper art
education evolves from the view that images which stimulate sexual thoughts should be
hidden away; many factors contribute to this. One is similar to the shock Queen Victoria
displayed in 1857 when receiving a sculpture (named David made by Michelangelo) by the
Grand Duke of Tuscany, which resulted in her having a proportionately correct fig leaf
(Poling 2008, 39) made to cover the full frontal nudity (Figure 2). Another example is parents
who wish to protect their children, as well as the nude appearing symbolic of sexual thoughts
and activities, which is often considered shameful and should be avoided. But also dominate
male sexual roles, oppress the female nude. However as art teachers, we have a particularly
favourable opportunity to guide that appreciation (Poling 2008, 40), and by the nude being
taught in schools, it helps to develop the understanding of the mechanics behind the human
form. Unlike a clothed model, the nude provides expression that enables the historical context
to be removed so its no longer about time or place, but how valuable the human form is
allowing the nude to be viewed in a positive manner. I believe that both of these arguments
contribute to the way the female nude is viewed in art, along with a persons cultural and
moral beliefs.

Moral and cultural beliefs alter depending on a persons understanding and experiences of
social behaviour. Some philosophical discussions would argue that free will often lends itself
to moral responsibilities as it focuses on human interaction with given activities and how
these become part of natural order. Russell believes that nothing manifests this concern
more evidently than artistic activity. (Russell 2008, 308). Understanding of the controversy
surrounding nude paintings is often affected by a persons place of birth, and how they are
raised; which help to shape their opinions and values. This can influence their personal
attitudes and even the way they attach meaning to a person or object, meaning that more
often than not, when a person makes a decision they will take into account their own personal
opinion, on the person or the subject (Davies 2011, 64) This is highlighted in the way an
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individual views a painting; a nude painting may be considered derogative if someone argues
that the nude is expressed in a sexual way. I would argue that the female form is beautiful;
that only the observer is seeing it as a sexual object. An example of this can be found in the
painting "Odalisque" (Ingres 1814) (Figure 3). It is debatable whether it is considered
immoral by critics due to the nude covering her sexual parts, or praised by others due to the
nude being painted to highlight her natural beauty. (Stuart and Eliasberg 1962, 387).

Figure 3. Odalisque [Image]. 1814.
http://coquetteinparis.wordpress.com/?s=Odalisque+&submit=Search (accessed March 29,
2014)
Stuart and Eliasberg (1962, 383) discuss that the attempt to convert the conventional social
order and its structure surrounding some subjects, is considered by some people or groups as
offensive to morality. They further describe how others believe the same materials are
artistically accepted and psychologically valuable (Stuart and Eliasberg 1962, 383).
Through Stuart and Eliasbergs investigation into the association of personality structures,
and motives for perceiving art works (which included the nude), a clear result supported my
argument, that only the observer is seeing the female nude as a sexual object. The evidence
supports a strong association between a persons personality and the amount of art works they
considered to be offensive.

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Religious beliefs as well as gender in art are other areas that can affect a persons
interpretations of the nude in art. Attention has been devoted to the rise of Christian rights
since the late 1970s and the public role concerning religion. Modern technologically
advanced nations, along with a persons gender, reveals that religion helps to shape both
political and social outlooks regarding education and social change (Davis& Robinson 1996,
as sited in Regnerus, Mark. D; Woodberry, Robert. D. 2000, 291-292) Renaissance replies to
erotic elements through classical art, although contemporary theorists are disinclined to give
importance to these dues especially religious works which are highly controversial. Gaston
believes that Renaissance theoretical repression of the artist's "natural" body is connected
with professionalization of the artistic disciplines. (Gaston 1995, 238) Whilst there are great
values in religion, I feel these views endorse negative connotations toward the female nude
being used in art, for no real truth other than their own personal morals.

Much research has been done in the area of gender role stereotyping. Through the research it
was establish that gender role stereotypes have spread through our culture. Despite the
research very little consideration has been given to sex roles in art and its main focus has
been on the neglect from the art world toward the female artist (Okelly 1983, 136). Although
there has been changes in modern art, femininity remained the same. The female nude in art
plays a passive role, and is often considered as a sex symbol. Her role as a nude model almost
come close to ending due to the abstract Expressionist who no longer looked at a female nude
for stimulus but instead displaced the female body as the vessel for male artistic desire.
(Schumacher 2010, 14)

The debate of whether it is derogatory to use female nudes in art, or if it is simply a
misinterpretation by the observer, continues to be criticized. The way art education is being
taught could be misinterpreted, sending the wrong message to the observer. Contributing
factors however are a persons personal, cultural and religious beliefs, along with their
gender, or the gender of the nude, and their influence from the larger community. One way
which may overturn these negative views of the female nude, might be to take a closer look at
the current education system and alter the way in which it is being taught, to ensure that all
cultural and religious beliefs, as well as gender, are being considered within the art room
without discrimination.
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