| Description: | Since the beginning of art history, the human body has fascinated countless generations of artists, becoming since ancient times the supreme form of artistic expression. The nude became a genre in itself, used to represent religious and mythological figures, gods and goddesses, legendary heroes and even ideas, despite the negative reaction that sometimes followed the unveiling of the work. But if for the more conservative the nude was scandalous and sinful, for the artist it was an expression of freedom and human beauty and sensuality, of the pureness of being. The nude in the history of art is thus a subject both traditional and transgressive, with broad implications for our understanding of art and humanity. This course explores these themes with special attention to the period from the late 18th century to the late 20th century. |