Thomas Kren

The Renaissance Nude
Edited by Thomas Kren, Jill Burke and Stephen J. Campbell
2018
Getty Publications

This is such a beautiful book, as I have come to expect from Getty. Lush reproductions with interesting history and literary content. This was published to accompany an exhibit on view at the J. Paul Getty @ Getty Center, London from 10-30-2018 to 1-27-2019 and also at the Royal Academy of Arts, London 2-26-2019 to 6-2-2019. It includes 15 essays followed by shorter texts on each individual object. It is interesting to read without seeing the exhibits, and includes pieces in Los Angeles.
The Renaissance in Europe was from 1400-1530 and was a time that explored what it meant to be human. True beauty was in bodies that have both feminine and masculine elements, but seeing genitalia was considered taboo.
The book looks at Christian imagery and development in Northern Europe, bound in Christian imagery and spiritual practice, of Christ's humanity. The controversy over if Christ was nailed to the cross naked or with a loincloth. One of my favorite pieces is by Dieric Bouts of the Netherlands titled 'The Way To Paradise' and 'The Fall of The Damned'.

My favorite essay was by Diane Wolfthal, 'From Venus To Witches', and the 11 pieces with it. It was a time when the North developed 2 themes to show female nudes. As a highly sexualized being who endangers men (malevolent witches) or passive and erotic (there to pleasure men). The Ox skull was a symbol used in many paintings to symbol sacrifice. Part 3, 'Artistic Theory and Practice' and Part 4 "Beyond The Ideal Nude' were especially interesting.

This a lush, gorgeous volume. I am thrilled I was able to see it.
Thank you to The J.Getty Museum, and Net Galley for this e-book ARC.
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