‘according to usage and conventions which are at last being
questioned but have by no means been overcome - men act and women appear. Men
look at women. Women watch themselves being looked at’ (Berger 1972, 45, 47)
'The Toilet of Venus', Diego Velazquez
'The Toilet of Venus' is the only surviving of Diego Velazquez's female nudes, however the painting coincides perfectly with the theory that "Women watch themselves being looked at". This painting consists of the goddess of love and her son Cupid, who holds a mirror in a position which allows Venus to look at herself aswell as the person watching her. The female nude has most commonly been portrayed with the intention of the observation of a man.
In a the classical story of "The judgement of Paris", this theme is very apparent. Aphrodite, Hera and Athena all claim to be the fairest woman and so they take the matter to Zeus. Zeus hands his judgment over to the god Paris where the females undress and attempt to show off there beauty. This connotes the idea that women seek the admiration of the female form and the watchful eye of men.
What's interesting is that this theme has continued on into the modern-day world. Wonderbra has released a series of advertisements that entice the eye of the man. What's almost amusing is that this advertisement actually allows the viewer to look at the woman in three-dimensional form. The whole concept behind Wonderbra goes with what Berger stated. They encourage women to purchase a range of bras that will entice the eyes of men and definitely supports the notion that "Men look at women" and "Women watch themselves being looked at".
'The Toilet of Venus', Diego Velazquez
'The Toilet of Venus' is the only surviving of Diego Velazquez's female nudes, however the painting coincides perfectly with the theory that "Women watch themselves being looked at". This painting consists of the goddess of love and her son Cupid, who holds a mirror in a position which allows Venus to look at herself aswell as the person watching her. The female nude has most commonly been portrayed with the intention of the observation of a man.
In a the classical story of "The judgement of Paris", this theme is very apparent. Aphrodite, Hera and Athena all claim to be the fairest woman and so they take the matter to Zeus. Zeus hands his judgment over to the god Paris where the females undress and attempt to show off there beauty. This connotes the idea that women seek the admiration of the female form and the watchful eye of men.
What's interesting is that this theme has continued on into the modern-day world. Wonderbra has released a series of advertisements that entice the eye of the man. What's almost amusing is that this advertisement actually allows the viewer to look at the woman in three-dimensional form. The whole concept behind Wonderbra goes with what Berger stated. They encourage women to purchase a range of bras that will entice the eyes of men and definitely supports the notion that "Men look at women" and "Women watch themselves being looked at".
