Manet's Olympia
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| Manet's Olympia 1863 oil on canvas |
I wanted to look at this painting because I'm starting to
look at Identity in my work and I thought that I would look at the past to help
me inspire my work, this particular painting is because of the figure involved
and the things that are also in the picture that represent things that create
the figures identity. When this painting was first shown it caused quite a lot
of shock because of the elements in the painting such as the confrontational
stare, she is looking right at you in a way that you can't avoid not making eye
contact with her.
The objects that surround her where another thing that
shocked people, the show of wealth; having a maid, flowers, jewellery and the
shawl that she laid on. Also the two people at the time the obvious signs that
she was a prostitute because of the flower in her hair, the black ribbon around
her neck and the Black cat. I find it really interesting that the only reason
that people were offended by the painting was because of these objects, these
objects crated an identity for the subject even if it wasn't a true one.
Manet obviously wanted to provoke this reaction by or else
he wouldn't have put the objects in the painting and by calling the painting
Olympia a name that was commonly used as a prostitutes name in Paris at this
time. People create an identity for
someone so easily and I and hoping to be able to reflect this in my work,
however in a different way to Manet I'm hoping to do it through shading.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympia_(painting)
Venus of Urbino
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| Venus of Urbino 1538 oil on canvas Titan |
I have decided to look at this painting because it inspired
the painting Olympia so I can compare the differences between them. Venus is lying
in a very similar position and looking straight at you again, however it doesn't
feel controversial it isn't a hard stare she is just looking at you in a very
seductive way. The whole feeling in the painting is very seductive, it brings
the viewer in. Venus doesn't seem at all bothered about her nudity in the painting;
she is lying there in a very erotic pose which makes the whole painting turn into
this way.
The maids in the background are searching for Venus' clothes
as they don't seem to be found anywhere. There is also a small dog asleep on the bed
which is said to be a sign for fidelity. This painting was commissioned by a
Duke for his wedding present to his young wife, Venus us supposed to represent
her. I find it really interesting that even though the paintings are of the same
subject by changing the objects around them it completely changes the identity
of the person.
I think that this is something that I want to reflect in my
work, just by changing a few factors I want it to completely change the feel of
the drawings.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venus_of_Urbino
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