Noa Minelli
Title: Olympia 
Artist: Edouard Manet
Date: 1863
Period/culture: victorian, realism
Location: Musée d'Orsay, Paris France
Size: 3’ 3 3/8” by 6’ 2 3/4”
Patron: n/a
Materials: canvas
Technique: oil paint
Subject Matter / Content:
The painting created by Edouard Manet was a shock to the public. In the past paintings of nudity such as Venus by Titian the women have been portrayed as perfect and as goddesses; however, in Olympia the woman is more like a “real” woman with flaws and awkwardness. It is apparent the woman in the painting is posing for it and her profession is assumed to be prostitution. Unlike the dog in Venus representing fidelity, there is a cat at the end of the bed which represents prostitution. There is a bluntness to the painting from the stare of Olympia to the maid bringing her flowers as she lay nude. This aspect of the painting made viewers uncomfortable. The painting confronts the industry of prostitution, supported by middle and upper-class men in France. The confrontation is one that many people in society were not ready to accept. The technique Manet used in his painting differed from the traditional way of painting in the time, he used cold harsh colors and created an angular and flattened affect. Olympia (was) rejected by many Salons, so Manet rented a hall for his painting to be shown.
Symbolism used (iconography):
The woman symbolizes the real woman of 1863 in Paris verses the perfect Venus who is very often portrayed in art. She symbolizes prostitution and the harsh reality.
Contextual issues relevant to the work:
In France at this time prostitution was not an uncommon thing, especially with middle to upper-class men. However, people were not quite ready to accept this reality and this is a reason why Olympia created such controversy. In this time, art generally depicted the nude woman as a perfect object such as the Venus paintings. By making the woman look real, with imperfections and the bluntness it creates an uncomfortable environment for the viewers during the time of the painting.
Formal qualities to the work:
-The composition of Olympia: Horizontal line created by the bed, a vertical line created by the gold trim on the wall, and a diagonal created with her body (Don't forget the placement of the maid. All of the elements create a very strong balance within asymmetrical composition).
-The contrast of the light colors on the woman and the darkness of everything else makes her stand out even more and shows her importance. This also gives the illusion that the she is of higher status because she is the main focus of the painting, standing out while the maid blends in with the dark background.
-Monochromatic color scheme (with areas of high contrast), dull colors (dull may not be the best word here, the palette helps to create emphasis and drama)
-The shapes are organic, with the curves of the curtains, pillows, and sheets to the human body. She is not made a “perfect woman” but a real one with imperfections. perfectly imperfect! :)
-The illusion of a three-dimensional form is created with the use of modeling and stacking (overlapping of objects in the composition) of objects, also creating space in the two-dimensional painting.
-The different values in the painting help to draw attention to places such as her hands, and the harsh outline of her body.
Intended Audience of the Work
-Paris salon
-Manet wanted an audience of people who saw the world for what it really was like he did
Functions
-To show the reality of life in France
-bringing a new way to paint the female nude
Symbolic Function
-Challenge the traditional way of painting the female nude like in the paintings of Venus
Related Themes
-Difference in class
-Sexual liberty
-Women in society in 1863
Related Works
-Sleeping Venus- Giorgine
-Maja Desnuda- Goya
-Venus of Urbino- Titian
Title: Fountain
Artist: Marcel Duchamp
Date:1917 (original) (1964 replica)
Period/culture: dada period
Location: San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (1964 replica)
Size: 12” by 15” by 18”
Patron: n/a
Materials: Porcelain urinal
Techniques: interpretation
Content
Duchamp purchased a urinal from J. L Mott iron works for his soon to be the most controversial piece of art in the 20th century. He took the urinal and turned it on its side and entered it in an exhibition. (He also painted R. Mutt 1917 on the urinal. Why?) This piece was rejected and after this Duchamp resigned from his spot as a founding member of the American Society of Independent Artists: an organization that helps to advance ideas of new art. The piece was so controversial because of the fact he didn’t actually make the urinal. Duchamp believed art is not just something you create by hand, but art is the idea itself. Many people thought this piece walked the line of being art at all. Duchamp explains that although he did not make this by hand “he chose it. He took an ordinary article of life, placed it so that its useful significance disappeared under the new title and point of view––created a new thought for that object.”.
Symbolism used (iconography)
The urinal is a symbol of chaos
Contextual Issues relevant to the work
When this piece was originally made World War 1 had begun and there was chaos everywhere. everything was being turned upside down and the Fountain represents this because it is on its side. It is just an everyday object yet it is flipped upside down just like things were in the world at the time. (this is a good place to mention his connection to the Dadaist artists who were his peers at the time)
Formal qualities
The Fountain is white porcelain with a smooth cold surface. It is a three-dimensional form, taking up space and creating a composition. The urinal is a symmetrical object with high contrast in light and dark (what are the dark areas? describe...) giving depth to the piece and brings attention to how simple it is. It has an organic shape, similar to a pear.
Intended Audience of the Work
-People living in the world during World War I
-artist to compare the new form of art Duchamp was introducing
Function
-Challenges the traditional way of doing art in Duchamp’s time by turning a urinal on its side and calling it art
-Shows there is not just one way of doing things and that art can just be the idea, not just the technique and skill
Symbolic Function
-By flipping the urinal on its side, Duchamp shows how the world is being flipped on its side because of the war, even everyday objects such as urinals
Related Themes
-What makes something art?
-The chaos of war
Related Works
Bicycle Wheel- Duchamp
Bottle Rack- Duchamp
Great work overall, Noa!!! Ms. H.W. :)
Well done, Noa! :)
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