As soon as I saw the kigo nakedness, my thought went to one of the most famous paintings in the world “Le Déjeuner sur l’herbe” by Édouard Manet. The way a totally nude woman sits unabashed with two men fully clothed men caused an uproar when it was first shown. Indeed the contrast can be a little unsettling, but today I would say I feel more sorry for the men wearing those black woolen suits in the heat of a summer day. Still the scandal was enough to have it rejected for the Paris Salon Jury, and therefore separately exhibited. But the Salon des Refusés 1863 paved its way to fame, and today it’s one of the most well-known paintings from the period.
nude among suits
svelter summer day
poor men
Le Déjeuner sur l’herbe by Édouard Manet
Linked to Carpe Diem
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June 22 – 2014
Björn Rudbergs writings 
I’m now thinking of asking some of my male friends to meet me for a naked picnic in which THEY are nude and I’m wearing a pants-suit. You know…for equality. 🙂
😉 yes that would be a nice contrast.
Like this?
PERFECT! lol
VERY nice! 😉
no. the nude females have power in their nakedness. reversed, the men look like emaciated prisoners in some sadist sex camp. some things must stand alone and have no equal.
Bjorn, I can see why that would have caused a scandal at the time. Women in that day, even in hot weather, usually wore not only layers of clothing but corsets and corset covers that hampered their breathing. It’s no wonder they fainted a lot and/or got light headed. That heavy clothing must have been hard on the men also in hot weather.
loving the art history here as well as your wonderful haiku!
thinking of the courage of the female model, too – must have taken guts!
Interesting., Thanks for the background info 🙂
also one of the most copied paintings. various takes on the same theme or composition. Have you read John Berger on art, women and men’s gaze? In ‘Ways of Seeing’ if I remember it right.
and you’re right about suits. nuts.
I have not read John Berger’s book.. I’m a dilettante at this matters.. still I’m a man with imagination 🙂 sitting there would make me terribly uncomfortable…
indeed, and that’s its timeless quality, isn’t it
I appreciate your laconic insight into this painting!
Naked in the Grass
how times have changed… and yes.. i’m not envying them their black, warm suits on such a lovely summer day
An extraordinary take on the prompt nakedness … I know that painting it was one of my favorites as I was younger.
Who is the gent in his birthday suit in the background? Or is it another ‘lady’ – perhaps the women were for ‘hire?’
I agree with the woolen suits comment. I am reminded of the 1800’s when swimming and going to the beach meant being clothed in what looked like woolen bathing suits.
http://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~roseying/ids110/WHIS.HTM
Closest I could get without getting to involved. Not fun in the sun. 🙂