Artists' Models - Posing - Nude Modeling - Alternative Views

Alternative Views

All of the above is based upon a moderate position regarding the value of figure studies and nudity in art. There are also schools or studios that may be more conservative, or more liberal. Many art programs in Christian institutions consider nudity in any form to be in conflict with their beliefs, and therefore hire only clothed models for art classes. However other Christian institutions see no conflict but rather maintain the need for nude figure studies as part of a complete classical art education. The more liberal approach occurs in countries where naturism is more common, and there is less emphasis on maintaining the strict decorum in an art class.

James Elkins voices an alternative to classical "dispassionate" figure study by stating that the nude is never devoid of erotic meaning, and it is a fiction to pretend otherwise. Even the staunch advocate of classical aesthetics, Kenneth Clark recognized that "biological urges" were never absent even in the most chaste nude, nor should they be unless all life is drained from the work. However most models maintain that posing nude need not be any more sexual than any other coed social situation as long as all participants maintain a mature attitude. However decorum is not always maintained when either a model or the students are not familiar with the often unspoken rules. Most models dread posing for incoming freshmen who, having never encountered classroom nudity, respond immaturely.

Acceptance of the erotic is apparent in the work and behavior of some artists, for example Picasso was also famous for having a series of model/muse/mistresses through his life: Marie-Thérèse Walter, Fernande Olivier, Dora Maar, and Françoise Gilot. The painter John Currin, whose work is often erotic, combines images from popular culture and references to his wife, Rachel Feinstein, also an artist. However, asking a model to pose for erotic works without a prior relationship would be highly unprofessional.

A feminist view is the male gaze, that nudes are inherently voyeuristic, with the viewer in the place of the powerful male gazing upon the passive female subject.