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Orsay show looks at art of male nude
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The male nude took center stage in Paris yesterday as a controversial exhibition celebrating the masculine form went on show at the celebrated Musee d’Orsay.
Juxtaposing traditional painting and sculptures with contemporary homoerotic photography, a museum better known for impressionist masterpieces has brought together more than 200 pieces in a collection designed to stimulate and amuse in equal measure.
“It is an exhibition that doesn’t take itself too seriously,” Guy Cogeval, the museum’s president and a curator of the exhibition said.
“Masculin/Masculin” features 70 paintings, some 20 sculptures and numerous photographs. It is due to run until February 2.
Inspired by a similarly-themed exhibition by Vienna’s Leopold Museum in 2012, the Orsay display aims to offer an insight into how ideals of the male body have evolved over the last two centuries.
The homoerotic charge of certain works is deliberately played up and the museum has opted for a thematic approach, with thought-provoking combinations across the ages.
Cogeval cites as an example placing a sculpture by Arno Breker, who worked for Hitler, alongside a photograph of three footballers naked but for their boots and socks in the red, white and blue of the French flag.
Entitled “Vive la France,” the photograph, by gay duo Pierre and Giles, features one black, one white and one Arab player to represent the multicultural make-up of the French team that won the 1998 World Cup.
The photograph caused a stir when used to promote the exhibition in Vienna, leading to red triangles being strategically placed in bus posters.
Organizers are braced for similar controversy, as the exhibition features nude representations of Christ and Saint Sebastian.
But Cogeval is hopeful that most visitors will come with an open mind.
“I think the exhibition is so beautiful that I believe it will win them over,” he said.
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