Time Machiene

Time Machine

Task one 

 The Sleeping Venus 1510, Giorgiorne

Although both 'The Sleeping Venus' and 'Olympia' are paintings presenting the female nude they are often compared for their contrast. Giorgiorne has shown the women to be a goddess type figure as if he is painting an idealised vision of what women should be. The most apparent difference to me between these two images is the character of each women. In this painting the female looks down and is also passively lying down and yet in Olympia she props herself up and gazes directly at viewer. This use of eye contact causes confrontation and displays her dominance completely contrasting with the passive nature of 'The Sleeping Venus'. 

Another interesting element of the image is the way the hands are positioned. The women above is seen to be sensually covering herself with her hand becoming a quite erotic feature of the image however the women below has her fingers widely spread and firmly on her leg. To me this shows her control over her sexuality. 

The female in Manet's painting is being presented with flowers from what you presume to be an admirer. It is very empowering how she does not even look at the gift in rejection to the man who has sent them. There is also the fact that her jewellery and shawl symbolise her wealth which gives the impression that she does not need men to shower her with gift as she has her own wealth and independence. This is a very strong contrast to the women in Giorgione's painting. The creased sheets that she lyes upon along with the red sheet beneath her upper body leave the impression that she is not pure but it appears to me that she is lying there for men to enjoy her sexuality and not to show her power of it like Manet's painting.

Olympia 1863, Manet