 | Introductory and thumbnails page
Italy - up to 14th Century |
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After the fall of the Roman Empire, followed a long period in wich, in the arts, the representation of the naked body, and even more of sex, was almost forgotten. Even the Christ on the cross was often "dressed up" and often represented with a tunic covering all his body.
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| Italy - 15th Century |
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It is only in late Middle ages, and mainly in Renaissance, that there is a "re-discovery" of the classical art (Greek and Roman) and of the beauty of the (male) human body. And also the re-discovery of sensuality. The characters of Adam, St. John, and St. Sebastian, often were represented as a way to depict the naked male body in a sensual way.
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| Italy - 16th Century |
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Explicit scenes representing the sexual act are rare until the 17th - 18th century, but a strong sensuality pervades the renewed arts of painting and sculpture. Also the homoerotic feeling is appearing more and more, even though often disguised in mithological scenes.
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| Italy - 17th Century |
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| Italy - 18th Century |
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| Italy - 19th Century |
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| Italy - 20th Century |
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In the Fascist period there is a "revival" of the representation of male nude, mainly in sculpture. Unfortunately this aspect of the modern art, as it is linked to Fascist ideology, is not yet studied, known, documented.
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| Italy - Living artists |
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Continues Europe  Ancient Greece.
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You will be more than welcome.