Day 314 - A Courbet nude

 September 5, 2022

 I walk into Gallery 811and see eight canvases - six nudes and two  hunting scenes - and I think to myself, “Why in the world are these hung together?” The answer: Seven of the eight are by Gustave Courbet, who was a prolific painter of both  subjects. The eighth painting is a “Birth of Venus” by Alexandre Cabanel. It appears here, I suppose, to make clear the differences between Courbet’s realistic approach to the nude and academic paintings of nude subjects. The latter were also erotic,  but that eroticism was "justified" by its association with classical mythology.  Notably, too, Cabanel painted Venus and the putti who hover over her with clear, precise brushstrokes. 

In truth, I’m not enamored of Courbet’s nudes,  but I do appreciate his rejection of the academicians’ reliance on mythology. Instead, Courbet’s nudes just seem to be women enjoying themselves, especially as they bathe in running water.  Today’s work, entitled “The Woman in the Waves” and dated 1868, is an example. The subject, who occupies almost all the24” X 28” canvas, appears to be sitting in a bubbling stream. Her arms are raised above her head, a position that obviously shows off her breasts but also allowed Courbet to depict  her underarm hair - a touch of realism not associated with goddesses. 

It’s interesting to note how conventions about beauty and the female body have changed since the mid-1800s. All of Courbet’s models are fleshy with high rounded breasts. Having large breasts is still an asset today, of course, but the plumpness of these women - especially their rounded bellies - has gone out of fashion. Maybe I’m not crazy about these paintings because I lack large boobs.