The Naked Girl in Modern Art

The Naked Girl in Modern Art

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Whether they're a goddess, nymph or lover, the nude bodies of women have long triggered an immediate emotional response from men and women alike. Research shows that a body in the buff is viewed more positively than one covered in clothes, and this positive reaction includes sexual arousal. Yet, despite this biological predisposition to react to nude bodies, people's reactions are framed differently by culture and gender.

Until recently, images of naked female bodies were only rarely shown in the public domain. They mainly graced the pages of conservative mass-market women's weekly magazines and more daring monthly competitors. They were also used in ad campaigns for diverse products, including Naked girls underwear, tights, slimming aids, bust developers, bath foams and deodorants. All conscripted nude bodies to the cause of consumerist consumerism and framed them in many different ways: as clean, sterile and hygienic; as 'natural' and liberated; as dreamy and sensual and romantic; and as glamorous and confident.

These cultural frames of the nude female body remain deeply ingrained. This is why the revelations about teenage boys and girls snapping and sharing naked selfies of their peers without consent - or the recent story of middle school students who allegedly created fake nude photos of classmates - are so disturbing.

While it's easy to focus on this troubling phenomenon, we should take heart in the fact that today's teenagers are more aware of their bodies than ever before. This awareness is partly a result of the proliferation of social media and the way in which young people can share anything online. But it's also the consequence of the increased emphasis on education, particularly in schools, of sexuality and self-image.

For the most part, the naked girl in modern art still elicits a positive emotional response from viewers. This is because contemporary artists are not only focusing on the beauty of the human form but also exploring the nuanced ways in which the body is seen and experienced by both men and women.

Amongst the most celebrated artists of this new era is Petter Hegre, who has been lauded as the "master of the nude portrait." His work is based on reality and uses models from everyday life. The nude body of the woman in his painting, La Maja denude, is both graceful and elegant. She has a pensive look, as though she might be awakening from a dream. Behind her, the sea is calm and there are no signs of a storm on the horizon.

Naked girls are still present in popular culture, with some of the most potent examples being portrayed on TV and film. This is perhaps most evident in the wildly successful Game of Thrones, where fans have powerful and complex feelings for Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke). However, there are other, less overt examples that suggest a more nuanced understanding of nudeness in our society.

 

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