Nudity
The naked human body is one of the oldest motifs in the history of art. Artists have been exploring the depiction of the human body in artworks for centuries. The spectrum ranges from ancient statues, academic drawings, mythological/biblical paintings and the modern nude to contemporary painting, photography, video and performance art. There is hardly any other motif that interests and occupies artists as intensely as the human physicality. The nude is the starting point for a multitude of social and cultural discussions – it fascinates and provokes at the same time. The nude tells stories of social development, revolt and change over the centuries.
Adam and, in particular, Eve are one of the first and probably most popular nude motifs throughout the centuries up to the contemporary era. The story of the expulsion from paradise is also one of the first narratives to describe shame in connection with nudity.
While nude drawing was part of art academy training from early on, the depiction of nudity in paintings was long only possible if it was part of a Christian narrative or a mythological story. Because of these limitations, many artists painted motifs such as Saint Sebastian, Venus and Mars, or Cupid and Psyche. However, even today, many artists are interested in these themes and create new interpretations of these classical subjects.
For many centuries, the depiction of nudity in Western art has been shaped by the male gaze. Women are often shown in overly sexualised, provocative poses that often portrayed them as the weaker sex. For a long time, male perspectives dominated the view of the female body. Nude paintings by women have been in the minority for centuries. Art history is dominated by men who paint naked female bodies, thereby reproducing a classic narrative. A few women, such as Sally von Kügelgen, gained access to art academies early on and began painting nudes. A female gaze emerged that continued to develop and produce strong female positions. They broke with outdated conventions and created new perspectives that continue to evolve to this day – shaping a new view of the nude.
Gender roles play an important role in nude depictions. In early genre and historical paintings in particular, women are often depicted as inactive, offering themselves up to the gaze of men. Men, on the other hand, are often portrayed as muscular, strong and active. These classic roles have evolved over time, with women now being depicted as self-determined, men being allowed to show weakness, and the boundaries between the genders becoming increasingly blurred. Non-binary bodies and new lifestyles are also reflected in portrayals of nudity.
Nude depictions throughout the centuries have been shaped by the beauty ideals of their time. The mythological story of Venus offered artists the opportunity to portray their idea of beauty. But does such a thing even exist? Isn’t every body beautiful? Artists are exploring the boundaries here too. In their work, they show imperfections and how the body changes over time – yet remains something special. Our bodies are true miracles, and especially in times of social media and social pressure, positions that show body neutrality and body positivity are becoming increasingly important.
The exhibition presents mainly artworks from the collections of the Art Museum of Estonia, together with some loans from private collections.
Team
Curator: Ann-Catherine Weise
Exhibition design: Villu Plink
Graphic design: Ott Metusala
Coordinator: Aleksandra Murre