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“Nudity In Art” – Don Charisma’s Opinion

It’s St George’s Day in the UK, which is where I’m from. I wanted to post a favourite painting of mine but it contains nudity. I even have the artist’s permission to post, he sent me a lovely email in reply to my request. In the UK we post art nudes in ordinary places, it’s no big deal. In parts of Europe they are even less “prudish”.

DonCharisma.org-wikipaintings-the-large-bathers-1887

The painting included on this post is a Renior’s – “The Large Bathers”

After the shit-storm created by my using the “R” word (entirely my error), perhaps caution is a good idea, before posting.

The work I want to include is here http://petarmeseldzija.blogspot.com/2012_09_01_archive.html

Petar Meseldzija’s “St. Georg and the Dragon”, 2000

So opinions please and a poll, I will decide later today whether to post based on this poll. I also have a short written piece to include. Not asking permission, just opinion.

Warm regards

Don Charisma

Resources & Sources

Pierre-Auguste Renoir – “The Large Bathers” 1887 – Public Domain / www.wikipaintings.org/en/pierre-auguste-renoir/the-large-bathers-1887

Notes for commenters:

Don Charisma Warning Improvised Writing

Comments are invited. BUT you are reminded that this is a public blog and you are also reminded to think before you press the “post comment” button. 

Good manners are a mark of a charismatic person – so please keep comments civil, non-argumentative, constructive and related, or they will be moderated. If you feel you can’t comply, press the “unfollow” button and/or refrain from commenting.

I read ALL comments but can’t always reply. I will comment if I think there’s something that I can add to what you’ve said. I do delete without notice comments that don’t follow rules above. For persistent offenders I will ignore you permanently and/or report you.

Most decent people already know how to behave respectfully. Thank you for your co-operation on the above.

Warm regards, Don Charisma

 

DonCharisma.org Opinion Graphic

48 thoughts on ““Nudity In Art” – Don Charisma’s Opinion”

    1. I don’t have the language skillset same as you to express my experience of art.

      So, thanks for sharing. My thoughts – I think the appreciation of human form, whether expressed via painting or photography or any other medium, is a positive, I don’t see a negative. Beauty manifests itself in many ways.

      1. So speaking of manifest beauty… The evolution of the female form had always intrigued me, and the notation that the further back you go, the plumper that ideal becomes. That whole prehistoric Venus bit. The perspective comes from an admittedly special interest with debates that probably aren’t well known in many circles, but I’ve made my peace with being an odd duck.

        I’ve a couple articles on them, detailing some of my ethnographic and mythopoeic theories on the old feminine archetypes. Maybe interesting, maybe not:

        https://spergbox.wordpress.com/2019/09/21/whos-your-venus/

        https://spergbox.wordpress.com/2020/04/26/women-are-from-venus/

      2. Also depends on which country you’re in, what’s attractive and what’s not. And same for men too !

        Again, I like “odd ducks” – people with character are interesting, and I can learn from, they have real diverse opinions and experience. People who’re cookie cutter conformists, probably not so much. So as long as people treat me with respect, I have a pretty open mind.

        If you get the chance look up Douglas Murray, who wrote “The Strange Death Of Europe” et al. He’s done plenty of interviews on YouTube. Culturally in the west women have objected to men talking about them, especially form, so it’s a topic I’ve skirted around on my blog (and fallen foul of once). I mention Douglas Murray, because he affirms what I already knew via experience. There’s a double standard here, and it’s political, rooted in identity politics, the brainchild of Marx. Ie “One rule for me, another for thee”. You’ll find a lot of that in identity politics.

        And I also mention, because I’m unsure of my blog’s direction going forward, I may slip back into photography, lighthearted, creative or move further into current affairs and politics. Or, may move on to another platform. Thinking it over. (I’m not making an income here on WP.com)

        Personally, I’m for free speech, within reasonable limits. Discussing female (or male) form is in my opinion free speech.

        There’s also the possibility of having one’s blog marked as “mature” (complaint based), in which case, WP.com won’t send any traffic your way – so another example of “shadow banning”. (which was the whole point of this post in the first place, to find out other’s opinions on what constituted “mature content”)

        Personally I’m more of a Natalie Portman rather than Roseanne Barr kinda guy. But no judgement on others, whatever “floats your boat”, I have a friend who’s the exact opposite, he goes weak at the knees for the larger ladies.

        I’ll do my best (on my todo list), but have a lot on at the moment – and also I’m a slow reader, and awful commenter on other’s work.

  2. One of my favourite all time paintings is by a gentleman whose name I can never recall.

    The Olympians is the name.

    At any rate, the painting shows the Greek Goddesses, various European phenotypes are represented in degrees of fitness or corpulence. Though being of Baroque style, the eye of the beholder is spared the ribby and malnourished spectacle of the contemporary size preference for and among women.

    1. Perhaps you can share a link, I got presented with a lot of paintings searching for “the olympians”

      I wouldn’t even like to comment on the last paragraph – “what he said”, far more eloquently and informed than I could have ever said it !

      And, the painting only turned up (again) because I saw someone had clicked on the link and it was in my stats … and then Jeff Taylor said “Happy St George’s Day” and the penny dropped as to why someone had been in my blog found that painting.

      1. I’ll see what I can do. I found the painting in my old high school PC I do all my writing from, as I referenced it in a paper on the Paleolithic Venus Culture I’m working on.

        I will get you your link a dite later.

  3. By the by thanks for following my intermittent blog. I find it more and more bizarre that people should object to anyone publishing works of art which includes nudity particularly from as recognised and revered artist as Renoir. At the time it was produced it created uproar but surely humanity has moved on since then? I mean we’re not talking the beast with two backs here were talking the nude form as an artistic beauty..bizarre IMO

    1. For sure, and since I’ve published the painting I wanted too … seems art nudes aren’t a problem, WP support confirmed that the painting isn’t mature, which was a worry …

  4. St. George and the dragon. Beautiful, I see it as being saved…. It is very close to how i feel. The dragons and the chains represent my sickness, my savior being God, medications, and doctors. The nudity representing the reality and rawness of the situation.
    Once again thank you for sharing and being apart of my life!

  5. Well I like the painting, and see nothing wrong with it, and really glad that you decided to post it. There is nothing wrong with nudity in art after all that’s how we all came into this world in the first place anyway “isn’t it”.

    1. Very much how I feel about it, but opinions vary from person to person and group to group, I take these into consideration when I’m posting …

  6. What do I know? I even think Marilyn’s Playboy photos are art. Nudity in art is fine with me. Ever since college I’ve spent countless hours in angst over Linda Nochlin. I even had a former Catholic professor challenge me on the issue because I’m a Christian. But we all know it’s wrong to cover up Michelangelo, don’t we?

    Now just find me a photo of Lady Godiva and I’ll be happy : )

  7. To be fair, I was a student of the arts so the subject of nudity was often tricky given the laws of the country I’m in. But as art and art form, it should be totally acceptable. Any other connotations is strictly in the mind of the beholder.

  8. Pingback: “Nudity In Art” – “St Georg And The Dragon” by Petar Meseldzija | Don Charisma

    1. Thanks, much appreciated, just typing up now my St Georges post, will go on front page very soon – the poll was a landslide in favour 🙂

  10. I have no problem with nudity in art. But I guess given some of the paintings and drawings I’ve posted that’s kind of a no-brainer.

    1. Thanks Jenny … it’s fairly much unanimous, so I’ve decided to post … there is a worst case scenario, but it’s been planned for 🙂

  11. I’ve taken quite a few art history courses and nudity, while it isn’t always a central theme, is abundant in art. I’ve also taken photos in my share of museums and galleries. Renoir’s work and the work you are wanting to show are in no way offensive. In many cases, offensiveness is in the mind of the offended! 🙂

  12. It’s cool mate, as long as it doesn’t offend anyone…
    P.S. – Getting offended because someone thinks it’s inappropriate is entirely their opinion. We respect it, but it wouldn’t be considered as you offending them.

    😕 Was it a little formal?? LOL

  13. I take it that it wasn’t Renoir who gave you permission to put his painting out there. One thing about Renoir is the beautiful flush of the skin that he captures. He’s one of my favourites.
    Leslie

    1. I suspect if he painted this in the 1800s then he’s probably no longer with us … without a direct line to god, then no I didn’t get his permission … according to the wiki page I got the image from it’s public domain … and glad to hear you like renoir … blogging has actually meant that I understand what art is now, so I’ve added to my enlightenment 🙂

      3. Have a look at Paul Peel. He’s a 19/20th century Canadian artist trained in Paris. He is truly remarkable as well.
        Leslie

  15. I can see the elders peaking through the bushes…this makes me want to paint another ‘Susana and the Elders’, (a great story on hypocrisy among other messages) my first attempt was a disappointment, I love this one for the inspiration. Thanks!

  16. Thanks for putting these paintings up here, Don. I have no problem with nudity in art, nor for that matter in photography.

    Although I haven’t heard of Meseldzija before, I’m impressed with the detail in the painting above; this is a talented man. I hope you’ll post it.

    TC

    1. I hope so too 🙂 Whilst I do like to do what I want on my blog, sometimes a degree of caution can save me time and hassle later, hence the question. It’s only since I started blogging that I’ve really understood what art is, so another door that’s been opened by blogging 🙂

      Thanks for your helpful comment …

      Don

  17. It sort of makes me think of the Sirens and their innocence, as they do only what they were born to live and do. It’s not their fault, just as you can’t blame a bee for having a stinger, it came with the package. Beautiful painting, you should post more art.

    1. Thanks, I’d like to, there’s often a question of permission, and the one I want to post is slightly more graphic, hence the question 🙂

      1. Well there’s definitely a difference between pornography for pornography’s sake and art. If you feel it is artistic I see no issue, just give a fair warning. And of course as I know you know with the traffic you have, to be mindful of gain/loss percentage of your audience. So I concur that the poll question is prudent and wise. Good topic for discussion as well, it could generate a whole new post in itself. 🙂

      3. I’m a people person. And I try to stick to the positive, people tend to lash out blindly in defense, as in nature, often cutting deeper than intended or is necessary. It’s not worth it, even if you have to take the long way to get where you’re going. Not that it applies here, that you put it in your moniker proves you know and practice positivity. Positive is good. 🙂

      7. I believe you’re on to something there Don. I myself have a few different ones I abide by for separate occasions.. Like when I read horoscopes I just read them all.

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