Time machine Unit - Task 1 -

Unfortunately we were given this task based on a lecture that was cancelled due to the amount of snow that had fallen. For this task, we have been asked to compare and contrast the two paintings in at least 500 words. Comment on the content and relationship of the images on idealised and realism.

Giorgione - The Sleeping Venus 1510

The first image painted in 1510 is a beautiful paining of a woman 'Venus' known to be painted by Giorgione which was finished by the artist Titian after Giorgione died. The painting was considered a modern piece of art in its time and Giorgione was known to take a great deal of time to create this painting.
The woman is nude in a sexual manner with her arm above her head and hand on her groin. The dark colours creating a dark mood gives the painting a mystical feel to it, the detail of the background seems not to overpower the nude woman herself either. The landscape and background curves and lines seem to represent the woman's nude body herself linking it back to the simplistic power of the natural body itself.

Manet - Olympia 1863

Looking at this image taken by Manet in 1863, this painting seemed to have been inspired by other artists of its time. The painting was hated and was known to create an uproar for its simple nature. The black woman a servant portraying flowers seems to be being ignore by the lady, another nude painting with one arm covering her groin she seems to be resting her other arm keeping her upright and in eye line with the viewer. The flower in her hair could represent her youth, virginity which contrasts with the fair skin and pale sheets.

The dark colours of the background brings the viewers attention to the nude woman herself and the servant seeming as an extra in this painting. 

Comparing both of these images they both seem similar in body language and position. Both nude and seem to be covering their groin area showing only their breast's could represent the female's dominance in body posture. A very sexual take on the painting, however in  Manet's painting the woman seems to be being served by a black servant. Olympia seems distracted and ignoring her by looking at the viewer which could be a racist judgement take on the painting and also linked to female dominance and class.

The sleeping Venus also similar has more detail in the background of the painting than the woman herself. The colours in both paintings are dark and dull that could represent the sexuality and female class of struggle that females were going through at that point in time.