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  • 1.  Nudity in art

    Posted 11-12-2014 09:38 AM

    Next spring, the museum will be hosting an exhibition which features a couple nudes. While we will treat this as a learning opportunity, I would like to provide teachers with options to talk with students about nudity in art prior to visiting. Can anyone recommend literature that might be helpful?

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    Gretchen Jeane
    Director of Education & Special Projects
    National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
    Oklahoma City OK
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  • 2.  RE: Nudity in art

    Posted 11-12-2014 11:25 AM
    Hey Gretchen, 

    Can you tell us a bit more about the type of nudity that will be on display? Classical nudity (casts, marble, etc)? Painted? Photographic? And a bit more about your typical student audience(s)? I may have some different recommendations for nudity in photography, but my two go to books are below: 

    For teachers of college or mature high school students, I like Allison Smith's "The Victorian Nude: Sexuality, Morality, and Art" For an academic text, it's extremely engaging, as is her other text, "Exposed: The Victorian Nude". I found both really fascinating reads and really useful in graduate school. 

    I also seem to remember a really spot on chapter from one of my undergrad art history classes that I may still have flagged at home. More soon. 

    Cheers,
    Tracey 


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    Tracey Berg-Fulton
    Collections Database Associate
    Carnegie Museum of Art
    Pittsburgh PA
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  • 3.  RE: Nudity in art

    Posted 11-13-2014 09:17 AM
    Tracey,
    The nudes are paintings. We will have programming for both middle/high school as well as elementary so I'm trying to cover all bases. I'll check out the books you recommended. Thank you!
    Gretchen Jeane





  • 4.  RE: Nudity in art

    Posted 11-14-2014 11:07 AM
    Hi Gretchen,

    I would also recommend looking at Kenneth Clark's seminal text The Nude: A Study in Ideal Form. His discussion on the difference between "nude" and "naked" could easily be translated into a context that would be appropriate for students.

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    Melissa Marinaro
    Curator, Italian American Program
    Senator John Heinz History Center
    Pittsburgh PA
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  • 5.  RE:Nudity in art

    Posted 11-15-2014 09:47 AM

    I would like to add something to this discussion on the Nudes on Art exhibit. This is only a suggestion, not "legal advice." (That's the way we lawyers roll). Whether water color, oils, photography or other medium, it is a good idea to be sure the original artist (and then the museum or gallery) have model releases for any nudes that are "recognizable", especially if it is a local artist who may have used local models who may be surprised to see themselves on exhibit. Most properly created models' releases cover any potential uses of the photos or pictures, but not all. I think it is always a good idea to ask to see a copy of the release for any visual art where the subject is recognizable. It could save you a lot of heartache, teeth gnashing and money.
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    Stephan Wexler, MD, MLA, MBA, JD,
    Entertainment Law and Intellectual Property
    Houston TX
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  • 6.  RE: Nudity in art

    Posted 11-21-2014 11:28 AM

    Hello!

     

    I am happy to help you address nudity in an art museum.  I use to work at the Barnes Foundation, so this issue came up a lot!  Please email me and let me know how I can help. 

     

    Jenny

     

    _______________________________________

    Jennifer Leibert

    GRoW Annenberg Museum Educator

    Learning Programs Department

    Penn Museum

    3260 South Street

    Philadelphia, PA 19104

    jleibert@upenn.edu