Blog 2 - Nudity, then and now
Wednesday, 4 November 2020, 9:43 PM
by Feryn Walmsley
Audience: nonacademic blog targeted at those who have an interest in controversial topics as well as the ancient world

The perceptions of nudity, then and now.

 Nudity. Is it really that much of a big deal? Bodies are bodies and for a long time this is how things were. It is only modern culture which has shamed people who wish to wear more revealing clothes, however people who completely cover up are seen as prudes. Can any one win? Is there really a happy medium?

 If we are to delve in and look at the ancient world and their stance on nudity, then we are not very surprised when we find that is was very common. In fact, it was perceived to be the norm. The ancient Greeks typically wore loin cloths to hide their genitalia and women could be found styled in open fronted clothes which would have been quite ‘revealing’ to the modern, more conservative eye.

 The Romans had a slightly different initial outlook on nudity and the presence of breasts. At first it was perceived quite a vulgar thing that genitalia were present in Roman society. However, the Hellenistic influence meant that typically, through artwork and the gods and goddesses, nudity was a much more accepted concept. The goddess Venus was often portrayed nude. Breasts may have been an indication of fertility and motherhood. This change in heart that the romans depicted could also show how the progressiveness of the ancients contradicts the modern world. In some ways it shows how over time we have gone back on a morals and beliefs -some for better and some for worse.

Ancient Sculpture

 Why is it that half of the worlds populations nipples are available for public consumption whilst the other half are deemed unacceptable? Both sexes have nipples, yet men can walk down the street in the UK with theirs out whilst it is a criminal offence for women to do so. This may have links to the ancient world because men were more likely to be seen nude than women were. Although it was not uncommon for women to be pictured nude in erotic scenes on pottery etc, men involved in sport were commonly presented nude. In fact, it can also be inferred that men were slightly more objectified because of the common presence phallus statues.

 It is only in more modern culture that breasts have been referred to in a sexualised manner, especially nipples. We need to remember than the sole purpose of female breasts is to act to feed children, the same way that all mammals feed their young offspring. However, present day society is told that nipples and female breasts are very controversial and that they should be hidden away as to not be offensive. But what is the true reasoning behind this? Maybe the influence of the Bible which gave strict morals and set high standards for people of the time? Even Renaissance painting show indications that nudity was something that was trying to be overcome as a taboo. Many associations with nudity at this time can be related to scandal and prostitution. However, it could be argued that the artists painted these types of works in an effort to relieve the stigma associated with the human body.

Venus Renaissance

 Another problem with the issue of nudity is breast feeding. If women are to breast feed in public, it now has a massive stigma attached to it. Women are more likely to feel as though they cannot feed their child in public if they need to get their boobs out in order to do so. This is one of the most natural human processes that there are. And somehow, women have managed to be shamed or feel uncomfortable when breastfeeding in public. But how has this happened after the ancients had such a differing view on the matter? 

 Overall, we know that different time periods had different views on what was and was not acceptable relating to the human body, nude or clothed. However, it is uncertain on how we can make a trend as to why this was and is today. People will always have differing opinions on how they want to present their bodies, and as a result, this will reflect onto the rest of society. As to whether this will change ideologies as society progresses is a different matter altogether. For the past several millennia nudity has been a controversial topic and I think we can all agree that it more than likely always will be.