General Discussion

Beacool

(30,520 posts)

40. I've seen this painting at the Musee d’Orsay.

Sat Jul 25, 2015, 12:44 AM

Jul 2015

It's a large work and it's impacting. Olympia is looking straight at the viewer. Renaissance nudes of women were mostly allegorical and represented either the Madonna or Greek goddesses. Olympia is a real woman, looking straight at her lover. She's not afraid of her femininity and the effect that it has on men. She owns her sexuality. That in itself was scandalous in an era where men had mistresses, but decent women were expected to be virginal until marriage. Even then, moral women were not supposed to enjoy sex.

Actually, the painting that really shocked Paris was Gustave Courbet's "Origin of the World", painted in 1866.

Anyone who has the opportunity to go to Paris should visit the Musee d’Orsay. IMO, it holds more interest than the Louvre. You'll get to see all the paintings that you had to study in school, plus a lot more. I also love the building, it's a former railroad station.

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Nudity, Art and Scandal in Paris! “Olympia” by Edouard Manet [View all] CTyankee Jul 2015 OP

Fascinating post, as always, my dear CTyankee! CaliforniaPeggy Jul 2015 #1

Hey, Peggy, nice to see you! Thanks so much... CTyankee Jul 2015 #2

Totally useless? I don't think so! Bits of info like that are wonderful for impressing 1monster Jul 2015 #21

It's all just art history...how this stuff developes from once era to another... CTyankee Jul 2015 #23

Thanks for that NV Whino Jul 2015 #3

Yep, I liked that photo... CTyankee Jul 2015 #5

Kicked and recommended. Uncle Joe Jul 2015 #4

Glad you liked it! CTyankee Jul 2015 #6

I love art Uncle Joe Jul 2015 #44

Manet's nude was very different from the soft core porn of the day Warpy Jul 2015 #7

So very right. But I love the fact that she presents herself on her own terms... CTyankee Jul 2015 #10

Yet, he's hinted by the cord at her throat Warpy Jul 2015 #12

The black woman on the right is presenting a large bouquet of flowers... CTyankee Jul 2015 #13

That's what CW has always said Warpy Jul 2015 #14

In all my research on this painting I have never encountered that argument...but I CTyankee Jul 2015 #16

I don't see it as an infant, even ambiguously. Jim Lane Jul 2015 #65

k+R flamingdem Jul 2015 #8

As always, happy to see your Friday art posts. longship Jul 2015 #9

Hi, longship...great to see you... CTyankee Jul 2015 #11

Really amazing post Hydra Jul 2015 #15

and I'm not sure how conscious that evolution is but it does happen often in art first... CTyankee Jul 2015 #72

The best artists are usually rebels Hydra Jul 2015 #73

Yep. This is how the world, and art, changes...thanks so much! CTyankee Jul 2015 #74

Mark Twain was being sarcastic, as usual. eppur_se_muova Jul 2015 #17

Yes, I do get it. and thanks for that. I am remembering that in the earlier days of CTyankee Jul 2015 #24

Mais oui! elleng Jul 2015 #18

Thank you so much for these Friday treasures, CTYank! I learn so much. Mnemosyne Jul 2015 #19

and I learn by doing... CTyankee Jul 2015 #25

So it all works out quite nicely! nt Mnemosyne Jul 2015 #33

Wonderful post. Ashcroft's "nude" curtaining & Mrs Cheney's NEA censorship of Maplethorpe stuffmatters Jul 2015 #20

Thank you, CTyankee! This is fascinating! And finally, something Mark Twain hates pnwmom Jul 2015 #22

"Wagner's music isn't as bad as it sounds." longship Jul 2015 #29

Wagner is tough...not as easy on the ears as Puccini... CTyankee Jul 2015 #31

Fuck Apple Safari! longship Jul 2015 #34

Puccini is to die for...just lovely. I think I love Tosca best..."vissi d'arte, vissi amore..." CTyankee Jul 2015 #35

Here, from the di Sabata recording, Callas, 1953. longship Jul 2015 #36

I think that Maria Callas was a great singing/actress, Renata Scotto too, Beacool Jul 2015 #39

If you get to Florence, Italy try to take a side trip to Lucca, Puccini's birthplace. CTyankee Jul 2015 #47

And here's my fave "Voi Che Sapete" with Fiorenza Cossotto. longship Jul 2015 #37

Ahhh, Fiorenza Cossotto, good choice. Beacool Jul 2015 #41

Wagner is not for everyone, other than opera cognoscenti. Beacool Jul 2015 #42

I prefer Duke Ellington's recipe. longship Jul 2015 #46

That post wasn't for you because you obviously love opera. Beacool Jul 2015 #62

Tosca is a great first opera. longship Jul 2015 #66

Yes, it is. Beacool Jul 2015 #67

Here in New Haven we once had an opera series every year for a while... CTyankee Jul 2015 #58

Beautiful gloves. Beacool Jul 2015 #63

Manet is one of my favorites for just those reasons. nolabear Jul 2015 #26

Wow, glad I made your afternoon! CTyankee Jul 2015 #27

You and me both. Monet is fine but Manet's use of stark color was brilliant. nolabear Jul 2015 #28

I have always had a "thing" for Manet for some reason... CTyankee Jul 2015 #30

k&r Liberal_in_LA Jul 2015 #32

Wonderful as always. nt awoke_in_2003 Jul 2015 #38

I've seen this painting at the Musee d’Orsay. Beacool Jul 2015 #40

I did see The Origin of the World when I was at the d'Orsay in 2012... CTyankee Jul 2015 #49

Men.......... Beacool Jul 2015 #64

Yeah, I know...silly him... CTyankee Jul 2015 #75

As always, stunning visuals and lyrical narrative Hekate Jul 2015 #43

I have another one ready for two weeks from now and am in the research process CTyankee Jul 2015 #50

Another outstanding art post! CrawlingChaos Jul 2015 #45

Another one coming in two weeks. If you are around, please drop by! CTyankee Jul 2015 #48

Good post edhopper Jul 2015 #51

Victorine wasn't all that attractive, IMO. Her skin color looks unhealthy and CTyankee Jul 2015 #53

I agree edhopper Jul 2015 #55

His still lifes remain my favorites... CTyankee Jul 2015 #56

Great post-- your writing is wonderfully engaging. Gidney N Cloyd Jul 2015 #52

thanks so much...glad you enjoyed it! CTyankee Jul 2015 #54

I went to sleep last night thinking about the differences among the Venus Pudicae... Hekate Jul 2015 #57

Oh, yes...that's it... CTyankee Jul 2015 #59

Absolutely fascinating ismnotwasm Jul 2015 #60

you are welcome...glad to see you like it... CTyankee Jul 2015 #61

OK, now post L'Origine du monde ... 11 Bravo Jul 2015 #68

Beacool beat me to it...see post #40. I give her a lot of credit... CTyankee Jul 2015 #69

Damn, I missed that! Kudos to Beacool for taking the risk. 11 Bravo Jul 2015 #70

Yes, I think I faintly remember that one...good for you! CTyankee Jul 2015 #71

Heh! ismnotwasm Jul 2015 #76

I'm sure they are not...wait and see...it comes around... CTyankee Jul 2015 #77