The Nude, Part One

Recently I was discussing with another artist the sheer pleasure of painting a nude. We had only known each other several minutes and began talking about painting. “Any time I can paint someone naked, I get very excited,” she said to me. I feel the same, but it can be difficult to find a nude model outside of a formal (classroom/educational) setting. The nude is a classical concept as far as painting goes- for a very long time there has been a great interest in drawing or painting or photographing the human figure. Artists are enamored with the softness, the vulnerability of human flesh. Even artists who are known for their non-traditional work drew inspiration from the nude.

For this compilation I worked hard to find as many male nudes as I could. I once had a professor that stated, “The world needs more male nudes.” And I would have to agree with him. I also tried to branch out and find a more contemporary approach to the nude, a nude that people now can understand.

Angela Cunningham, Blue Satin

Slyvia Sleigh, Paul Rosano in Jacobson Chair

Elke Krystofek, Woman of Colour

Marlene Dumas, Nuclear Family

Lucian Freud, And the Bridegroom

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Nudes Standing by Stove

Georgia O’Keefe, Nude Series VIII

Koloman Moser, Frühling

Steven Assael, Julie with Stocking

Sigmund Abeles, Untitled- Urban Nightmares

Koloman Moser, The Wayfarer

Lucien Freud, David & Eli

Most of us have a desire deep down (or maybe not so deep down) to be nude and to view others in their nakedness. As I have discussed in previous posts, people are fascinating to us because we are them! Personally, I find the nude to be an inspiration. It is our stripped down selves. It does not hide behind flashy garments. A lack of clothing brings the human form to its simplicity, which is actually very complex.

Look. Listen. Respond.
– Megan