HUMN 303 Week 7 Assignment: Controversial Art and Censorship Submit Assignment

HUMN 303 Week 7 Assignment: Controversial Art and Censorship Submit Assignment

Student Name

Chamberlain University

HUMN-303: Introduction to the Humanities

Prof. Name:

Date

Controversial Art in History

Over the last decade, various pieces of art have been labeled controversial and, in some cases, removed from public spaces. Controversial art often challenges societal norms and raises debates about freedom of expression. This category includes songs, books, and visual art forms. According to ICON, artists throughout history have pushed boundaries through mediums like paintings, photography, sculptures, and installations. Their work often conveys political statements, critiques social norms, or explores religious themes, which can sometimes cross into ambiguous morality (Icon, n.d.). The piece of art chosen for this discussion, The Nude Maja, exemplifies how art has long been a source of contention. Painted by Francisco Goya between 1797 and 1800, The Nude Maja was controversial in its time due to its depiction of a reclining nude woman, which many found offensive. The dark background of the painting highlights the subject, giving it a mysterious quality. The Art Encyclopedia notes that the identity of the woman remains debated; some believe she was the mistress of Prime Minister Manuel de Godoy, while others suggest she was Goya’s own mistress (The Art Encyclopedia, 2020).

Artistic Legacy and Influence

The Nude Maja was displayed at the Academy of Fine Arts in San Fernando from 1808 to 1813, only to be removed by the Spanish Inquisition for 23 years due to its “immoral” content (Aaron Art Prints, n.d.). Despite its controversy, the painting has inspired countless artists, including Édouard Manet. In his book, Impressionist Quartet, Jeffrey Meyers highlights how Manet’s Olympia draws bold inspiration from Goya’s masterpiece (Meyers, 2016). The painting’s significance is further evidenced by its inclusion in two sets of commemorative stamps in 1930, alongside its companion piece, The Clothed Maja. These honors cemented Goya’s work as an enduring artistic achievement.

The Fine Line Between Art and Censorship

In determining whether The Nude Maja qualifies as art, Martin and Jacobus (2018) propose three criteria: the creator’s intention, the recognition of the work by experts, and its classification as art by its maker. By these standards, The Nude Maja clearly qualifies as a significant work of art. While some may find it offensive, the painting’s details, including its color, light, and expressive composition, make it a stunning and delicate creation. The debate over controversial art highlights the tension between freedom of expression and societal values. While individuals should have the right to choose what they consume, there are situations, particularly in public spaces frequented by children, where government intervention to remove potentially offensive content might be warranted. However, such decisions must balance artistic freedom with public sensibilities.

Table: Key Aspects of The Nude Maja and Controversial Art

References

Aaron Art Prints. (n.d.). The Nude Maja. Retrieved August 19, 2020, from https://www.aaronartprints.org/goya-thenudemaja.php

Art on Stamp. (n.d.). The Clothed and The Naked Maja by Goya. Retrieved August 19, 2020, from https://www.artonstamps.org/goya.htm

Icon. (n.d.). 10 of the most controversial artworks in modern times. Retrieved August 18, 2020, from https://icon.ink/articles/controversial-art-history/

Martin, F. D., & Jacobus, L. A. (2018). The humanities through the arts. New York: McGraw-Hill Education.

HUMN 303 Week 7 Assignment: Controversial Art and Censorship Submit Assignment

Meyers, J. (2016). Impressionist Quartet: The intimate genius of Manet and Morisot, Degas and Cassatt. Southbank Publishing.

The Art Encyclopedia. (2020, May 8). Nude Maja, 1800 – Francisco Goya. Retrieved August 19, 2020, from https://www.wikiart.org/en/francisco-goya/nude-maja-1800