
Reclining Nude 1857
With its soft focus and painterly qualities, this photograph by Rejlander is clearly steering towards the tradition of Pictorialism and is compositionally very similar to European art.
The naked female body is positioned on a bed, facing the camera. One hand is positioned close to her genitals which directs the viewer's focus to this sexual area. The woman's head is turned away into her arm which is raised above. This emphasises the shape and curves of the body (which is bright in contrast to the dark surroundings furthering this emphasis) and allows it to be viewed 'undisturbed' by the woman who either appears to be sleeping, thinking, unaware or ashamed of her naked body being photographed.
Is the female body being objectified?
Most definitely yes. There is no sense of identity in this photograph whatsoever and the body is merely presented as an object to be looked at and desired by men. The title itself, 'Reclining Nude' is a proof of the objectification as there is no acknowledgement of the woman as a person but just like a guitar, book or shoe, the woman is just a 'nude': an inanimate object. The photograph focuses on the line, shape, texture and on the sexual areas separate from the woman as an actual thinking, feeling person.
No comments:
Post a Comment