Let's Get Cheeky

Paul  Gauguin set off for Tahiti in June 1891, dreaming of a paradise where  he could "listen to the silence of beautiful tropical nights." While his  painting Tahitian Women Bathing resembles his other Polynesian paintings, it was not painted in oil on  canvas. Instead, it was painted in oil on paper and began as a sheet of  working drawings. The large sheet was later mounted on canvas,  retouched, and varnished, presumably to prepare it for sale.

The  unusual evolution of this painting from a sheet of working drawings  provides insight into Gauguin's methodology as a draftsman and painter.  It also accounts for the painting's compositional disharmony. The  different elements of the painting were not originally intended to be  seen together, and the artist's later additions and revisions did not  fully resolve the disharmony.

Aesthetic Attraction: 

The  shape and curves of buttocks can be aesthetically pleasing to some  people. The human body's symmetry and proportions can be visually  attractive, and well-shaped buttocks can add to the overall appeal of a  person's physique.

Between  1890 and 1892, Jean-Léon Gérôme created several artworks based on the  myth of Pygmalion and Galatea. This is one of three known oil paintings  that depict the moment when the goddess Venus brings the sculpture of  Galatea to life, fulfilling Pygmalion's wish for a wife as beautiful as  his creation. The painting is closely related to a polychrome marble  sculpture by Gérôme that is now on display at Hearst Castle in San  Simeon, California. In each of the paintings, the sculpture appears from  a different angle, as though it were being viewed in the round.

Cultural Influences: 

Cultural  norms and media portrayals play a significant role in shaping beauty  standards and preferences. In some cultures or time periods, certain  body features, including buttocks, may be idealized and considered  symbols of attractiveness. For example, in some cultures, large buttocks  are seen as a sign of fertility and wealth.

Courbet's  artwork departs from the conventional portrayal of an idealized female figure in academic allegories. Instead of presenting a hyper-idealized  nude, he depicts a woman embracing a cascade of water. This may have  been a direct response to Ingres' work, which features a nude holding a  jar from which water symbolically flows. Courbet's portrayal is more  down-to-earth and realistic, offering a more natural representation of a  woman interacting with water.

Sexual Attraction: 

Buttocks  are considered an erogenous zone and can be a source of sexual  attraction for some individuals. In human evolution, physical traits  associated with reproductive fitness have played a role in mate  selection. For example, some studies have shown that men are more likely  to be attracted to women with larger buttocks, as this is a sign of  good health and fertility.

Lautrec's  art often delved into the secluded and idle existence of prostitutes,  becoming a powerful subject in his body of work. His portfolio comprises  approximately fifty paintings devoted to their lives, accompanied by  numerous drawings and prints, including the color lithograph series,  Elles, completed just a year before this painting.

In  this particular artwork, Lautrec doesn't seek to flatter the woman's  naked form, nor does he reveal the expression reflected in her mirror.  Instead, the woman appears to be honestly and candidly assessing  herself, taking a raw and unembellished appraisal of her own image. The  artist's portrayal captures a sense of realism and unguarded  vulnerability, reflecting the unvarnished reality of the woman's life  and emotions.

Confidence and self-assurance: 

Feeling  attractive and confident in one's body is essential for many people.  Appreciating their own buttocks or being admired by others for this  feature can boost self-esteem and self-assurance.

This  artwork is believed to have been created by the young Courbet shortly  after he arrived in Paris in 1839. At the time, he was studying under  Baron Charles de Steuben and later at the Académie Suisse. In that era,  artistic subjects drawn from antiquity and biblical themes were highly  valued, and skillfully portraying the unclothed male body was considered  a significant milestone in an artist's development. While only a few  surviving works from Courbet's early years exist, the exact origins of  this painting are unclear.

Reminder:

It's  important to remember that individual preferences and perceptions of  attractiveness are diverse and shaped by a variety of factors. It is  crucial to respect and appreciate different body types and recognize  that beauty and attractiveness come in various forms.

Inspired  by tales from Ovid's Metamorphoses, Titian embarked on a series of  paintings that he referred to as poesie, a poetic expression through  paint. In this particular artwork, Venus is depicted desperately trying  to prevent her lover from leaving for the hunt, as she foresees,  correctly, the tragic fate that awaits him. The painting exudes a  sensuous mood, intensified by the beautifully portrayed Venus, seen from  behind, and adds to the viewer's sense of the impending tragedy,  evident in their exchanged glances and the fearful presence of Cupid.

Titian's  workshop produced multiple versions of this composition, but the one  presented here stands out for its exceptional quality as it was  personally painted by Titian himself.

Here are some additional points to consider:

• The  appreciation for buttocks is not limited to one gender or sexual  orientation. People of all genders and sexual orientations can find  buttocks attractive.
• The  appreciation for buttocks can be influenced by personal experiences.  For example, someone who has had positive experiences with their own  buttocks may be more likely to appreciate them.
• The  appreciation for buttocks can be influenced by societal influences. For  example, the media may portray buttocks in a certain way, which can  influence how people perceive them.

Lucas  Cranach the Elder gained widespread acclaim as a court painter for the  electors of Saxony in Wittenberg. His workshop produced many  sought-after mythological scenes for the courtly patrons, with a  particular focus on Venus-themed paintings. One of his most famous works  is the Judgment of Paris, created around 1528.

The  painting depicts Paris, clad in contemporary armor, as he contemplates  the three goddesses: Minerva, Venus, and Juno, each vying for the title  of the fairest. Adjacent to them, Mercury holds the coveted prize—an orb  resembling a golden apple. Cupid, in the scene, takes aim with his  arrow at Venus, indicating Paris's ultimate decision in favor of the  goddess of love.

Ultimately:

Tthe appreciation for buttocks is a complex and multifaceted issue.  There are many factors that can influence how people perceive buttocks,  and it is important to respect and appreciate different body types.

During  the 1880s, Renoir found himself captivated by nudes and the classical  art's illustrious legacy. In this particular painting, he sought to pay  homage to Ingres's famous work, the Grande Odalisque, exhibited at the  Musée du Louvre in Paris. However, Renoir put his unique twist on the  subject, transforming Ingres's cool and composed courtesan into a  vibrant and rosy-cheeked young girl. Similarly, he reimagined the harem  setting into an Impressionist landscape that evokes the serene beauty of  the Channel coast. Renoir's reinterpretation infuses the classical  theme with his characteristic impressionistic style and a celebration of  healthy youth and the allure of nature.types.