Greek Female Nude
The Unveiling of the Female Nude In Ancient Greek Art
By Audrey Ancell
ART 499
Ken Price
9 December 2014 Nudity is one of the most natural states for the human body. Humans are born often almost completely nude, without a great deal of hair or fur unlike many other mammals. Bathing and often mating rituals showcase the human body in the same light. Throughout history, however, views toward this natural state of the human body have changed with sophistication of society and culture. The biggest proof of this view lies within the realm of art. It seems that as society progressed, the amount of clothing increased and anatomy shown decreased for many cultures. In Ancient Greece, however, the naked male figure was marveled and celebrated for …show more content…
The Venus of Willendorf (Figure 2) is the perfect example, with her full breasts, protruding stomach and wide hips and legs, she represents all aspects of a good child-bearing woman. As society developed and clothing became more and more integrated into the views of the human body, the nude figure began to disappear. Women and men alike were being depicted clothed and the anatomical structure of the body was more concealed. The Greeks were one of the first cultures to began exploring the naked human body, but due to gender superiority only male figures were explored. The gender dichotomy in this culture drew a line between men and the “other”. Men and women were defined as being exact opposites1. Something that is inherently male could not be possessed by a female and vice versa. Men needed the “other” to define what being a man …show more content…
Artists would sometimes show a slight bulge for breasts but this was the extent of the exploration of the female form for quite some time. The Peplos Kore (Figure 4) is a perfect example of this style. She is parthenoi, meaning that she has reached the physical maturity of womanhood but is unmarried.4 This age of adolescence is where Greeks felt women were at their peak of beauty and health.“A girl on the edge of womanhood was viewed as enchanting; she was to be adorned with clothing and jewelry like a doll, in a manner in which Pandora was first fashioned and then ornamented to be a bride for Epimetheus.” said Ellen D. Reeder in Pandora. The Greeks were somewhat fascinated with youth and sexual curiosity, but were only allowed to explore this curiosity through art. While only subtly during the Archaic Age, these kore figures showed women in a very different light than the way women were actually expected to be.5 The Peplos Kore commands to be seen. She stares straight ahead with authority, while women were expected to cast their gaze downward, in modesty and
By Audrey Ancell
ART 499
Ken Price
9 December 2014 Nudity is one of the most natural states for the human body. Humans are born often almost completely nude, without a great deal of hair or fur unlike many other mammals. Bathing and often mating rituals showcase the human body in the same light. Throughout history, however, views toward this natural state of the human body have changed with sophistication of society and culture. The biggest proof of this view lies within the realm of art. It seems that as society progressed, the amount of clothing increased and anatomy shown decreased for many cultures. In Ancient Greece, however, the naked male figure was marveled and celebrated for …show more content…
The Venus of Willendorf (Figure 2) is the perfect example, with her full breasts, protruding stomach and wide hips and legs, she represents all aspects of a good child-bearing woman. As society developed and clothing became more and more integrated into the views of the human body, the nude figure began to disappear. Women and men alike were being depicted clothed and the anatomical structure of the body was more concealed. The Greeks were one of the first cultures to began exploring the naked human body, but due to gender superiority only male figures were explored. The gender dichotomy in this culture drew a line between men and the “other”. Men and women were defined as being exact opposites1. Something that is inherently male could not be possessed by a female and vice versa. Men needed the “other” to define what being a man …show more content…
Artists would sometimes show a slight bulge for breasts but this was the extent of the exploration of the female form for quite some time. The Peplos Kore (Figure 4) is a perfect example of this style. She is parthenoi, meaning that she has reached the physical maturity of womanhood but is unmarried.4 This age of adolescence is where Greeks felt women were at their peak of beauty and health.“A girl on the edge of womanhood was viewed as enchanting; she was to be adorned with clothing and jewelry like a doll, in a manner in which Pandora was first fashioned and then ornamented to be a bride for Epimetheus.” said Ellen D. Reeder in Pandora. The Greeks were somewhat fascinated with youth and sexual curiosity, but were only allowed to explore this curiosity through art. While only subtly during the Archaic Age, these kore figures showed women in a very different light than the way women were actually expected to be.5 The Peplos Kore commands to be seen. She stares straight ahead with authority, while women were expected to cast their gaze downward, in modesty and