Tania Arik, Blog Post #3

Throughout art history, artists have used multiple, yet similar, techniques to speak out on issues regarding politics, religion, famine and racial discrimination. One of the most common themes repeated from the beginning of the Renaissance to Contemporary Art is the idea of “ideal weight.” This idea that a human body has to appear a certain way to attract others, although the art painted or sculpted at the time was not specifically meant to be sexualized. It has affected many individuals all around the world, especially women, they have been dealing with this specific issue, resulting in their strive to either lose weight or gain it. In hope to become more appealing to the eyes of men. This is equivalent to our current society’s perception of beauty, in which models are portrayed as “beautiful” and “thin.” Many of these ideas, as well as themes, were illustrated in the “Feast & Famine” exhibition here in Newark, allowing us to distinguish the resemblance regarding the artist’s opinion concerning society’s definition of beauty.

Jen Susman, Ideal Weight, 2011

Jen Susman’s Ideal Weight from 2011 illustrates orange gum wrapping paper. In this piece of art, the author reveals his own ideal weight. It is said that his work was inspired by Felix Gonzalez‐Torres’ Untitled (Lover Boys), from 1991. Although in Torres’ work, he displayed candy in the museum to represent the weight of his lover which is 161 kg, the work is symbolizing loss and eternity. Jen Susman’s work, on the other hand, is a symbol of his own weight which he defines as “ideal.” Revealing his concerns about societal expectations of an individual's physical aspects, as well as the obsessing affect “bodyweight” has on many of us.

Lauren Greenfield, Aiva, 16 (from the series Thin), 2006

Although many artists have revealed the affect society and its expectation has had on them, this author takes a different turn. Such as Lauren Greenfield in the Aiva, 16 (from the series Thin). This author is portraying actual health conditions, rather than simple societal expectations. Aiva’s picture on the left shows her at the beginning of her journey, which she started by attending a camp to help her core with her eating disorders. On the right, Aiva is photographed after gaining weight and bettering her health. The transformation displays far more than simply her transformation, instead, the two pictures reveal the dedication and effort which have allowed her to fight anorexia.

Titan, "VENUS" OF URBINO, c. 1538

Continuing, in “VENUS” OF URBINO by Titian, the painting shows the beautiful Goddess Venus lying on her bed. According to Stokstad, this painting is quite seductive and provocative, as Venus is shown lying nude on a splendid bed, she is holding flowers which may add to her physical beauty, making her more seductive. The woman in the back is known for being her maid, as she is cleaning Venus’ clothes. Although, if one was to look at the painting without any information regarding the background and scene, they could interpret it as a representation of women’s ideal weight. In addition to this possible perception, a woman in the back sits on her knees facing the floor. A woman who may be self-conscious about her weight might view it as something that it is not. Such as a woman taking action into her own hands in regards to the negative perception of her body weight and appearance, such as vomiting.   

Michelangelo, DAVID, 1501-1504

Furthermore, between 1501 and 1504, Michelangelo sculpted the nude body of the biblical hero, David. In this sculpture,  Michelangelo “embodies the antique ideal of athletic male nude” (Stokstad 659). The muscular and in-shape body reveals expectations from the Renaissance that might make a man a hero, such as the tall figure, toned lower and upper body. As well as the sculpture, which is at a high angle, resulting in the taller appearance of  David. This idea of “ideal athletic male” demonstrates the requirements needed for a male to appear as not only an athlete but also a man.

Concluding, ideal weight is a topic that many individuals for years have been dealing with. Especially when artists from the Renaissance portray women as beautiful, thin, yet round. Along with men exhibited as strong, tall and athletic. Most importantly in the Renaissance paintings, both men and women hold characteristics, which the artists might define as beautiful, while also being nude. Although, in recent art exhibitions, artists have different expectations and have taken a different turn regarding physical appearance. Revealing that the ideal weight and body figure of an individual are not deemed important unless it affects and comes in between a person’s health. 
Work Cited:
Stokstad, Marilyn, and Michael Watt Cothren. Art History. Sixth ed., II, Pearson, 2018.

https://publicdelivery.org/felix-gonzalez-torres-untitled-portrait-of-ross-in-l-a-1991/