![]() A nude represents a particular society’s ideal figure. To be nude, he says, is intentional and comfortable. (Shortform note: Sir Kenneth Clarke, Berger’s primary adversary, argues that to be naked is to be without clothes and to feel exposed or embarrassed because of it. For these reasons, Berger says “naked” paintings should be considered exceptions to (not examples of) the European oil painting tradition. Rather, these paintings were done by the painter not to present merchandise to a buyer, but to simply highlight the beauty of the naked form as well as the complexity of the woman. He infers that the rarity exists because the image of a naked woman that doesn’t “belong” to the spectator-owner is not marketable. When speaking in terms of percentage, Berger explains that nudes are common in European oil paintings, and nakedness is rare. Her exposure appears to be an intrusion rather than an intentional display. She gestures to the side as if speaking to someone, something an object would not do. Though her body faces the spectator, there is no indication that her attention is on him. The motion and expression of this woman is enough to render it a naked painting and not a nude. Her legs display realistic cellulite rather than the smoothness of a marble statue. Her facial expression is neither placid nor coy and could be interpreted as showing affection or familiarity. She is covering herself as her towel slips, showing lifelike motion and modesty. The woman is looking at the spectator, but her body is not positioned as a presentation to him. The description of Odalisque With Slave can be directly applied here, with the addition of a male admirer to whom the woman pays no attention. VENUS AND THE LUTE PLAYER BY TITIAN 1565-70 Her skin and the contour of her body are flawless and statuesque. The position is unnatural yet she is motionless like an object. The woman is lying in a supine position with her body presented to the spectator. The woman belongs to no one and isn’t posing for the viewer.Ĭonsider the following examples of nude versus naked paintings. The viewer of a “naked” painting, on the other hand, is intrusive, or at the very least a surprise. The “owner-spectator” of a nude is expected and entitled to be ogling at the woman, because she is his property. Nakedness is portrayed using motion and expression-a towel slipping, a woman moving lustfully or appearing surprised, are examples that show that she’s a living human.Ī central difference between nudes and naked paintings relates to Berger’s discussion of perspective. The nude is passive and still-often portrayed lying down in the supine position, the nude is inanimate, just as an object would be.The woman is simply living her life as anyone would, which occasionally requires being naked. Nakedness contains no exhibitionism or voyeurism. The nude is present for the purpose of being viewed-she is visibly aware that she is the object of a man’s attention, evident by her eyeline and/or body positioning.Nakedness will display “flaws” by conventional standards. The nude is conventionally attractive-the woman’s body is depicted in a way that satisfies man’s desire in a given time period.What is the difference between nude and naked in art? According to Berger, there are three primary distinctions between nude and naked that you can visually see in an image: The Difference Between Nude and Naked in Art Keep reading to learn about three key distinctions between nude and naked. To be nude, on the other hand, is to hide oneself and be seen by others as an object-usually for sexual fantasy. According to art critic John Berger, to be naked is to be yourself and to be seen by others for who you are-it’s vulnerability and honesty. What is the difference between nude and naked when it comes to art? What deeper meanings do nudity and nakedness symbolize? ![]() Like this article? Sign up for a free trial here. Shortform has the world's best summaries and analyses of books you should be reading. This article is an excerpt from the Shortform book guide to "Ways of Seeing" by John Berger.
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