#ArtControversy

[arthistoriansdiary]

Olympia

Édouard Manet, Olympia (1863). Oil on canvas, 130.5 cm × 190 cm. Musée d'Orsay, Paris.

Édouard Manet's Olympia, painted in 1863, stands as a pivotal work in the history of art, not only for its radical departure from traditional representations of the female nude but also for its confrontation with societal norms and the role of women within them. This analysis explores Olympia in depth, highlighting its significance and the controversy it sparked upon its debut.

Olympia and the Challenge to Convention: Manet's Olympia depicts a nude woman, reclining, staring directly at the viewer with a confrontational gaze. Unlike the passive, idealized nudes of earlier artworks, Olympia's direct gaze and the presence of a black cat at her feet were seen as shocking. Her hand firmly covers her sexuality, not in a gesture of modesty, but as a display of control and autonomy. This portrayal was a stark contrast to the accepted depictions of female nudes as objects of male desire.

Comparison with Titian's Venus of Urbino: To fully appreciate Manet's revolutionary approach, one must consider Titian's Venus of Urbino (1534), a work that Manet referenced in Olympia. Titian's Venus, also reclining nude, engages the viewer with a softer gaze, her hand passively resting near her pelvis, surrounded by symbols of marital fidelity and domesticity. Unlike Olympia, Venus's environment and demeanour suggest an invitation rather than a confrontation. The comparison highlights Manet's departure from portraying the female subject as an object of desire to a figure of power and defiance.

The Name 'Olympia' and Its Implications: The name 'Olympia' itself was loaded with connotations. In the Paris of Manet's time, 'Olympia' was a name often associated with prostitutes, adding another layer of scandal to the painting's reception. This choice of name was not accidental; it was a deliberate commentary on the commodification of women's bodies and the blurred lines between respectability and sexuality in 19th-century society. By naming his subject 'Olympia', Manet directly challenged the viewer to confront their preconceptions and the societal norms dictating the representation and treatment of women.

Controversy and Legacy: Upon its exhibition, Olympia was met with outrage and ridicule, criticized for its "vulgar" subject matter and "unfinished" style. However, this criticism failed to recognize the depth of Manet's critique of societal and artistic norms. Today, Olympia is celebrated for its bold defiance of traditional art, its pivotal role in the development of modern art, and its complex commentary on gender, power, and the gaze.

Olympia's Glance: A 19th-Century Rebellion? In light of Olympia's unflinching gaze and assertive posture, how do you interpret her representation in the context of 19th-century societal expectations of women?

[whoisjaylamm]

NEW EPISODE: Episode 34:  🖼️ The Portrait of Edmond de Belamy isn't just an artwork—it's a milestone in the evolving conversation between technology and creativity. Crafted by the AI collective 'Obvious,' this image made headlines as the first AI-generated artwork to be sold at auction. But it also sparked debates: Will AI encroach on artists' domains? How do we protect original creativity in a world where code, created by a high school student, could become the next masterpiece? Dive into the story that’s challenging the very definition of art. Watch the full video at the link in bio. 🎥

This is the thirtieth-fourth episode in a series of episodes that’ll drop every Saturday throughout 2024.  Visit the full video here:

Please share it with others if you enjoy it. Head over to my YouTube channel to watch (link in bio and description). Also linked in my stories.

[historyconnoisseur]

Pop Art controversy

What is Pop art?

Art always has a way of bringing people together and creating community. After World War II, a war that transformed and sparked change amongst many communities is visible by the art created. An art form that brought optimism to many after the war was pop art. Pop art is known for its popular and commercial culture, which was often seen in the western world. The pop-art movement began as a rebellion against traditional forms of art and the societal norms around art and popular culture. Pop art was popular globally amongst all racial groups.

“Pop Art was brash, young and fun and hostile to the artistic establishment. It included different painting styles and sculptures from various countries, but what they all had in common was an interest in mass-media, mass-production, and mass-culture.”

What is the controversy?

Pop art is known by those who lived during the rise of it and those who inquire about it today. How pop art is presented and spoken about often creates the illusion that the only contributors to pop art were white males. While Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, and Richard Hamilton are recognized as the original pop artists, more artists are within the pop art movement. Due to the written Anglo-American history of pop art, 68 artists from 28 nations go unrecognized and appreciated, which causes there to be controversy. 

Why does it matter?

Inclusivity. The art industry in recent years has become more inclusive, but this could have always been the case if different groups of people were recognized for their contributions to the mass popularity of pop art. Not mentioning or involving artists that contributed to the movement of pop art lessens their recognition, thus causing history and movements to be white-centered. Removing white people from the center of the pop art movement allows all artists who contributed and established pop art to receive recognition and feel valued as artists and people.  

Pop art around the world

“Surprisingly, there wasn’t much communication between Pop Artists in different countries, even neighboring countries, but it’s fascinating how often they came to similar conclusions.”

An aspect of pop art that is often overlooked is the camouflaged history involved in pop art. Within the art, artists would have political images and slogans to show their feelings toward the various wars, juntas, and transformation of nations after world war I.

In Finland, the artists used pop art to express political and against the grain ideals. 

Finland’s Raimo Reinikainen subverted the star-spangled banner with photos of American atrocities in Vietnam. 

In France, pop art was used to be political as well as include topics like war, femininity, and rage. 

‘At last, a Silhouette Slimmed to the Waist’ by French artist Bernard Rancillac shows female torsos clad in corsets, above US troops humiliating a soldier of the Viet Cong.

British artists used pop art as their mode of expression in this search for change. Through Dada collages and assemblages, British artists created art that would provoke and catch the attention of the larger masses.

‘Just what is it that makes today’s homes so different, so appealing?’ 1956 (collage) by British artist Richard Hamilton. 

In America, pop art evolved as an attempt to reverse the popularity of Abstract Expressionist painting.

’32 Campbell’s Soup Cans’, 1962 painted by American artist Andy Warhol. 

Who are the stakeholders?

Art distributor: Art distributors sell and buy art. The controversy of pop art is important to art distributors because they need to be aware of the history behind their art. Art distributors can develop and change the narrative when it comes to pop art. By buying and selling art from less known pop artists, they can raise awareness to the artists that are often not recognized or appreciated. 

“The Pop Art movement is important because it made art accessible to the masses, not just to the elite. As the style drew inspiration from commercial figures and cultural moments, the work was recognized and respected by the general public. Finally, there was an art form that felt not only pertinent but accessible to everyone. In some respects, Pop Art was ‘art for the people.”

Pop artist: Today, there are contemporary pop art artists that continue the movement alive. This controversy is important to the newest artist of the period because they need to establish themselves in an industry that has already been established and painted in a white-centered way. 

“Many contemporary Pop Artists continue to keep the movement not just alive but thriving. popular Pop artists today include the likes of Neo-Pop artist Jeff Koons, the iconic Alex Katz, and the immersive, Japanese visual artist Yayoi Kusama.”