Visualizing Voyeurism: Authored by Emily Mendelson and Eta Pastreich, Binghamton UniversityMain Menu"Visualizing Voyeurism"What is Voyeurism?Opening ViewParisian TypesNudes AlbumMyths and Biblical Themes ViewMyths and Biblical ThemesIntimacy Corner ViewThe Rise and Fall of the 3rd StreamEmbraceThe Captivating Desire: AIDS #4Rooftop SunbatherFeminist Photography ViewUntitled Film StillsGallery Wall of SketchesThe Desublimation of RomanceDanae and the Golden Shower; VitrineGallery Wall ViewPainter Sketching and Nude Model in a HatMeet the AuthorsBinghamton University Art Museum Fair Use StatementHilary Becker8acde8ddd866de3e1500ef02591b1ae693bb7788Written by Emily Mendelson and Eta Pastreich, Binghamton University
Female Figure
1media/1974.17_thumb.jpg2020-05-04T13:10:48-07:00Emily Mendelsondf4e2cd2c9dea5ae8f1ce363794d93386798b8e8373371Lorenzo Garaventa, (Italian, 1913 - 1998), Female Figure, 1964, Crayon, 19 ½ x 15 inches, Gift of the artist. Source: Binghamton University Art Museumplain2020-05-04T13:10:48-07:00Emily Mendelsondf4e2cd2c9dea5ae8f1ce363794d93386798b8e8
Figure drawing classes consist of live models holding a pose so that students can learn how to properly depict human anatomy. Figure drawing from a live model was first popularized during the Renaissance and entered academic institutions in the 17th century. Although long dominated by the male nude, seen as the paradigm of human beauty since Classical Greece, by the early nineteenth century life drawing increasingly used the unclothed female figure. This voyeuristic method was often used to espouse ideal body types of its subjects and reinforce beauty standards. Culturally ideal body types can often be seen through this voyeuristic learning style, as the subject of live figure drawing has often historically been aligned with cultural beauty standards.
