【Art & Design English-52】Olympia by Édouard Manet that Changed the Rules of Art (愛德華·馬奈的《奧林匹亞》改變了藝術規則)

Olympia by Édouard Manet that Changed the Rules of Art In the 1800s, most paintings looked like this. Muted colors, complex scenes, and lots of mythological stuff. But in 1865, something came along that was so different, it caused shock and horror and outrage.
“the body's putrefying color recalls the horror of the morgue." "a skeleton dressed in a tight-fitting tunic of plaster."
“takes on at times the undefinable terror of a painted corpse.” "her face is stupid, her skin cadaverous… she does not have a human form." The painting is called Olympia, and it changed the art world forever. Édouard Manet painted Olympia in 1863. When Paris was the cultural center of the world. And the center of this cultural center was the Academy of Fine Arts. The Academy was made up of upper-crust art critics who worshipped the Italian Renaissance painters of three hundred years prior. You know - Michelangelo, Raphael, Botticelli, Titian… And at the Paris Salon — the Academy's legendary annual art show — they only displayed art that mimicked the Renaissance style. To determine who got in, they had a bunch of rules. First and foremost, great art was supposed to convey a moral or intellectual message. And all acceptable art fell into one of five categories ranked by their capacity to deliver those messages. Landscapes and still lifes were at the bottom. In the middle are portraits... And genre paintings — mostly quaint scenes of poor or foreign subjects, painted for the rich. At the top of the list is History painting, the Academy's darling. These depicted major historical or mythical moments; they were considered the best at providing an ethical or moral lesson. Like depictions of the birth of Venus - showing the goddess emerging fully formed from the ocean, a symbol of womanly perfection and divine love. Which brings us to the second set of rules. Equally important to what was painted was how it was painted. Take that painting of “The Birth of Venus”, it's the kind of painting the Academy loved. Its subjects are idealized, prettified visions of the world — smooth and beautiful, with no body hair and flawless skin. The painting follows the rules of depth and perspective — meaning it looks like it could exist in the real world. And the scene is complex and layered - there's a lot going on. Its colors are ones you'd find in nature. They aren't too saturated or harsh. And the brushstrokes are smooth. So smooth that they're nearly invisible on the canvas. For a long time, really the only way to become a successful artist was to follow the Academy's rules. Which makes Manet's Olympia all the more of an outlier. Check out this painting by Renaissance master Titian from 1538. Look familiar? It should. Manet painted Olympia as a direct riff on Titian's “Venus of Urbino.” — but there's a reason Manet's painting ruffled so many feathers when it hung in the Salon. For starters, the name Olympia was a popular pseudonym for sex workers. Manet took a beloved, instantly recognizable painting and corrupted it - subbing in a common sex worker for the morally upright goddess of love and fertility. There's not much room for a sex worker in the hierarchy of genres. But it was also how Manet painted Olympia that really changed things Manet used stark and unnatural colors that give Olympia a cold, harsh look. And look at how rough and textured Manet's brushstrokes are compared to Titian's imperceptible ones. And, unlike Titians, Manet's painting doesn't seem to exist in real space. It's much flatter and less complex. And beyond the rules, the two paintings just feel different. Venus lounges while Olympia sits at attention. Venus' maids place furs in a chest, probably a wedding gift. Olympia's maid brings her flowers, likely from one of her regular customers. And compare their hands. People really didn't like Olympia's tensed fingers - one critic claimed she was “mocking the pose” of Venus, with a hand shamelessly flexed" where Venus is warm and inviting, Olympia is tense and stiff. It's as if Venus invites you to look at her, while Olympia confronts you— almost like she's shaming you for intruding. It's not totally clear why the Academy chose to display Manet's rule-breaking painting, but it probably had something to do with Manet's growing popularity. You can see his influence so clearly in what came next. He led the charge toward modernism in the late 1800s. Starting with the impressionists - Manet, Degas, who adopted his penchant for modern themes and loosened brushstrokes. But it's not just the impressionists who owe Manet. More than anything, Olympia is proof that no one entity gets to decide what art should look like. And, when we look back on the history of art, we don't remember the people who were really good at following the rules. We remember the people who moved the needle forward.
References (optional) What is Edouard Manet known for? Manet was the elder statesman of the Impressionists , although he never participated in their exhibitions, but continued to compete in the Salons. His unconventional subject matter, drawn from modern life, and his concern for the artist's freedom in handling paint made him an important precursor of Impressionism. Links What is Art For? Édouard Manet and his paintings Édouard Manet Discussion Questions (Art) How great is your interest in art? What’s the best art gallery you’ve been to? Do you like modern art? What do you think of installation art? Do you ever think a lot of art is not really art? Do you have a favorite artist? What kind of art do you like – paintings, sculpture, ceramics, etc.? What is art? Does art change the way you think or feel? Do you think anyone can be an artist, or do you need a special talent? Do you think all children should study art at school? Do you think children should learn the history of art? Do you think a painting can really be worth a million (or more) dollars? Do you think today’s artists are as good as those from hundreds of years ago? What was the last painting/poster/piece of art you bought? Why did you buy it? Describe the pieces of artwork in your house. What kind of art is your country famous for? What kind of life do you think an artist’s is? Do you have any artistic talents? How would the world be different without artists? Discussion Questions (Design) How would you define design? How do you know if something is designed well? Do you think design is important? Why? Have you ever designed anything? What are some well-designed products? What are some poorly designed products? Are there any designers you admire? Have you done any interior design in your home? What are some examples of good design that you appreciate? Why? How does design influence our daily experiences and interactions with products and environments? Can you think of any iconic designs or designers that have made a significant impact on society? What are some key principles or elements of design? How does cultural and historical context influence design aesthetics? Can you describe a design project or process that you have been involved in or observed? How does user experience (UX) design contribute to the functionality and usability of products and services? What role does sustainability play in design? Share examples of environmentally conscious design practices. How can design be used to solve social and humanitarian challenges? What are some current trends in design that you find interesting? How does technology influence the field of design? Discuss the impact of digital tools and software. Can you think of any examples of design that have sparked controversy or provoked discussions? How can design be inclusive and accessible to people with diverse abilities and backgrounds? Can you share any examples of designs that evoke specific emotions or create a particular atmosphere? How does design differ across various disciplines, such as graphic design, industrial design, or interior design? What are some ethical considerations in design? Discuss the responsibility of designers towards users and society. Can you think of any design failures or instances where poor design affected the user experience? What lessons can be learned from them? How can design thinking be applied beyond traditional design fields to problem-solving and innovation? What skills and qualities do you think are essential for a successful career in design? How has technology influenced the field of graphic design in recent years? Can you think of any examples of design that successfully blend form and function? Explain why they are effective. How does cultural diversity influence design aesthetics and the portrayal of different cultures in design? What are some key considerations in designing user interfaces for mobile applications? Can you describe a design project that aims to address sustainability or environmental issues? How does typography contribute to the overall design and message of printed materials? What are some effective ways to gather user feedback during the design process? How can color psychology be utilized in design to evoke specific emotions or convey certain messages? Can you think of any examples where design played a crucial role in shaping a company’s brand identity? What are the main differences between designing for print media and designing for digital media? How can design be used to improve accessibility for individuals with disabilities? Can you describe a design trend that you find intriguing? Why do you think it has gained popularity? How does packaging design influence consumer perception and purchasing decisions? What ethical considerations should designers keep in mind when creating advertisements or marketing materials? How has social media influenced the field of design and the way designers showcase their work? Can you think of any innovative design solutions that have improved people’s lives in developing countries? What are some challenges in designing for virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) experiences? How does design impact the gaming industry, particularly in terms of user interface and user experience? Can you describe a famous architectural design that has become an iconic landmark? What makes it significant? How do cultural symbols and icons influence design choices, especially in international contexts? Discussion Questions (Art Culture) How often do you go to art museums? Do you consider yourself to be artistic? What do you think about modern art paintings? How many forms of art can you name? What is your favorite form of art? Is graffiti art? Why or why not? What is the most famous statue in your country? Who is your favorite artist? Why do you like them so much? Do you think that art is important to society? Why? Have you ever tried drawing, painting, sculpting, or something else artistic? What is the most famous painting in your country? What is traditional art like in your culture? What country do you think is the most creative? Why is art so expensive? Do you think it should be more, or less, expensive? Do you have any artistic friends? What kinds of art do they create?