Should Christian Art Students Study the Nude Figure?

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Permalink Reply by Thomas Clark on December 9, 2009 at 12:21pm

The Gordon representatives said it well, nothing to add.

I tell the same thing to aspiring artists. If you can draw or paint the human figure you can draw or paint anything– there is the essence of life to capture, the movement, the texture of skin, the symmetry counter balanced by the asymmetry of the turned or contrapposto axis of the figure and frankly, you learn to view the body as a beautiful work of art created by God and not something subjectified by our learned puritanical beliefs or opposing sexualized society. If you could take only one class in art school that would, easily, be my suggestion. Great post.

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Permalink Reply by Joey O'Connor on December 10, 2009 at 11:07am

God, in His creation, made man, woman, and all created things "good." In the Fall, God's creation became debased. In Christ, all share in the hope of redemption, though not all has been redeemed. As Christians, we are to view all created things through the eyes of God. We are to walk in the Spirit and not the flesh. We have ultimate freedom in Christ and are to do all things to the glory of God. We have nothing to fear, but are made to walk in freedom...even in drawing, painting the human form, the crowning achievement of God in Creation.

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Permalink Reply by Lori Rockriver on December 11, 2009 at 12:34pm

Well - For me, I'm going to say NO way! - it plants seeds of lust that should not to be.

After they ate of the forbidden fruit and learned they were naked, God clothed them... so that, for me, says it all!

We have to keep in mind the word of God and He says, that the wickedness will increase... Jesus tell us, if you LOOK at a woman with lust you have already committed adutlry. Think about - yes, we are Gods Greatest Creation, but we are in a Fallen world and there are arrow that fly by day, why would we give the enemy any and I mean, ANY ammo? We are to be on guard and keep watch as the days are evil! we are not to cause a brother to stumble - correct?

Man Is Gods Greatest Creation - for me, I want to protect that, as we are His. Jesus did not walk around naked and we are to be Christ-like Amen. He wore a dress! well, covered from the neck down to his feet - losely fitted, would we stop for a moment to think today - who are we really following... the World, which is run by Satan, or Jesus? We are NOT of this world - Amen? Maybe we have been in it a bit too long...

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Permalink Reply by Tony Snipes on December 12, 2009 at 7:41am

Interesting feedback on this one.

QUESTION: One thing I've heard on this topic that I'm curious about-
Some have said that those that oppose drawing the undraped figure are usually those that have never experienced it.

Is that true?

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Permalink Reply by Thomas Clark on December 15, 2009 at 4:38pm

Amen. Anyone who has been in an art class would understand that how you approach a subject (and this applies to any course) is how it's perceived. There are both male and female models and it is always presented respectfully.

We must, as Christians try to lose this fear of opening ourselves up to the wrong "worldly" things when it is God, Himself who created our bodies that can be heavy, thin, old and all shapes and sizes. Jesus set the example, that you should be a light to the world and hang out in areas that "pharisees" wouldn't ( Matthew 9 / sinners and tax collectors) or talk to people that "were" off limits (John 4 /prostitute). The same applies to many Christians approach to the human body.

Being on campus, drawing the human body is not the same as hanging out at a strip club. We have the power of the Holy Spirit to help us discern what is wrong and right in the eyes of God. If we stop going into areas that are inappropriate for Christians we might as well stay in our church caves and never bring the light of God into areas such as art galleries (that have plenty of nudes) and the movie business where Christians have put out movies that uplift and counteract the ones that do not. I realize some people have past issues that preclude them from opening themselves up to certain situations but I thank God for the Christians who have created art that challenges and blesses our lives in the areas some would tell us to walk away from. I know a certain prostitute who was glad that someone sat with her at a well and told her the Good News.


Tony Snipes said:

Interesting feedback on this one.
QUESTION: One thing I've heard on this topic that I'm curious about- Some have said that those that oppose drawing the undraped figure are usually those that have never experienced it.
Is that true?

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Permalink Reply by Edward van Vliet on December 16, 2009 at 6:46am

i think they should. interestingly, i never hear this question phrased as: shouldn’t christian art students study the figure?

i’m not sure how long this has even been a concern for christians — it seems to me that a hundred years ago, perhaps even 50 years ago, it wasn’t an issue. it was, in fact, standard practice. and it also seems to me that it’s often more of an issue (as an idea) for people who haven’t actually done it (though not necessarily always). the practical experience and actual event is far less sexualized than people fear, and much less so than the television, videos/ movies or the friendly neighbourhood magazine rack. the actual activity of drawing or painting or sculpting from the model is much less charged than one thinks.

i can appreciate people wanting to avoid the opportunity for their own weaknesses to manifest as sin – that’s wise. but there is a difference between wisdom and fear. that being said, how do we deal with the verses in leviticus that tell us not to look on x’s nakedness because it is sin (everyone is someone’s husband or wife)? it doesn’t even say that it needs to be done lustfully. that is much more problematic – for me anyway – because that’s about my looking, never mind my sinning. if i am easily given to lusting, that is my issue not the object of my lust.

then again, it’s been years since i worked from a naked model (other than my wife).

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Permalink Reply by Jim Pischke on December 17, 2009 at 7:24am

I am sorry but I have to agree with Lori, it is wrong. It is nothing more than porn on a canvas; it is no different then a photograph. You can’t say that all artists have to paint porn to be good artists? Does a photographer have to take pictures for playboy to be a good photographer? Does an actress have to play the couch scene to be a good actress, No. The human body was meant to be kept holy, that is why God covered it, and no, the holy spirit isn’t going to protect you if you paint a nude person, he will protect you if you stumble upon it or you go and tell that person that they are to keep there body clothed but he isn’t going to protect you from committing a wrongful act. Even if you try to justify it by saying it will make you a better painter or artist. We are to think of others and how it might effect them if they were to see the painting as well. It may not affect you when you are painting the nude person but I will guarantee you it will bite you down the road years later, especially when you are married and have problems with you spouse. Satan won’t use it right away, he likes to sit on it for a few years, I know. So for the Christian artists out there like me, keep your eyes pure and your hearts clean. There is so much more beauty out there besides the flesh, look at Thomas Kinkade or the artist for Precious Moments. Besides we should try to paint the beauty within and you don’t need to see the flesh for that. Sorry for no photo of myself, I have very few if any and may God bless all you young artist out there!

Edward van Vliet said:

i think they should. interestingly, i never hear this question phrased as: shouldn’t christian art students study the figure?

i’m not sure how long this has even been a concern for christians — it
seems to me that a hundred years ago, perhaps even 50 years ago, it
wasn’t an issue. it was, in fact, standard practice. and it also seems
to me that it’s often more of an issue (as an idea) for people who
haven’t actually done it (though not necessarily always). the practical
experience and actual event is far less sexualized than people fear,
and much less so than the television, videos/ movies or the friendly
neighbourhood magazine rack. the actual activity of drawing or painting
or sculpting from the model is much less charged than one thinks.

i can appreciate people wanting to avoid the opportunity for their own
weaknesses to manifest as sin – that’s wise. but there is a difference
between wisdom and fear. that being said, how do we deal with the
verses in leviticus that tell us not to look on x’s nakedness because
it is sin (everyone is someone’s husband or wife)? it doesn’t even say
that it needs to be done lustfully. that is much more problematic – for me anyway – because that’s about my looking, never mind my sinning. if i am easily given to lusting, that is my issue not the object of my lust.

then again, it’s been years since i worked from a naked model (other than my wife).

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Permalink Reply by Jim Pischke on December 17, 2009 at 8:52am

You are right, good point about Leviticus; so the college is doing something wrong from a Christian point of view. Wisdom as the bible points out is Satan’s weapon of choice, things may be wise to do down here on earth but I don't think anyone will be proud of it up in heaven when it is brought before all of heaven on judgement day that someone looked upon another person’s spouse. Even though God forgives me, I know it won’t be one of my crowning moments up in heaven to talk about, especially when God tells me in Leviticus I shouldn’t have done it.

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Permalink Reply by Edward van Vliet on December 17, 2009 at 5:07pm

waitaminnit -- thomas kinkade and precious moments are your paragons of [christian] beauty in art? not rembrandt? cranach? durer? roualt? cleary? herman? tim rollins?

seriously?

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Permalink Reply by Edward van Vliet on December 17, 2009 at 9:15pm

i didn't say that. i'm not saying the college is doing something wrong - i'm just curious as to how we engage with that passage as i think it is far more challenging than the usual "theological" positions we trot out. the context has more to do with the intent of looking on one's nakedness - a lustful one. further, it references incest taboos. my question is more about how jesus 'ups the ante' when it comes to such thing. there's nothing in the chapter in question that directly addresses this issue. but it does create some interesting issues to explore.

Jim Pischke said:

You are right, good point about Leviticus; so the college is doing something wrong from a Christian point of view. Wisdom as the bible points out is Satan’s weapon of choice, things may be wise to do down here on earth but I don't think anyone will be proud of it up in heaven when it is brought before all of heaven on judgement day that someone looked upon another person’s spouse. Even though God forgives me, I know it won’t be one of my crowning moments up in heaven to talk about, especially when God tells me in Leviticus I shouldn’t have done it.

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Permalink Reply by Edward van Vliet on December 17, 2009 at 9:23pm

it actually is not the same as "porn on canvas". the fact that things are abused and misused does not mean they are therefore inherently wrong, evil or sinful. and the human body was holy before God covered it up. adam and eve walked around the garden nekkid. it is entirely possible to lust after a person without nakedness being any part of the situation. in fact, it doesn't even require a person. and i'm not sure that thinking about others and how the image affects them means we must be held hostage to them. i understand what you're saying -- the whole 'weaker brother' thing - but that is one of the tensions as we walk out our faith. how much are we responsible to our own convictions and how much do we die to our 'rights' in order to not be a stumbling block (which is different than being an offense)? it's a good question to wrestle with...

Jim Pischke said:

I am sorry but I have to agree with Lori, it is wrong. It is nothing more than porn on a canvas; it is no different then a photograph. You can’t say that all artists have to paint porn to be good artists? Does a photographer have to take pictures for playboy to be a good photographer? Does an actress have to play the couch scene to be a good actress, No. The human body was meant to be kept holy, that is why God covered it, and no, the holy spirit isn’t going to protect you if you paint a nude person, he will protect you if you stumble upon it or you go and tell that person that they are to keep there body clothed but he isn’t going to protect you from committing a wrongful act. Even if you try to justify it by saying it will make you a better painter or artist. We are to think of others and how it might effect them if they were to see the painting as well.

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Permalink Reply by Juanita Maria Gonzalez on December 26, 2009 at 1:18am

I think we need to be led by the spirit when it comes to making decisions about studying anything and that includes studying the nude figure.
As far as using Leviticus as the universal Christian standard for making the decisions not to study the nude figure should be reconsidered. Consider that God also told Moses In Leviticus that “If anyone who dishonors father or mother must be put to death. Such person is guilty of capital offense.” If you committed adultery; you were put to death. I think you get my point. The Law vs Grace. If you are a medical professional are you in constant sin?
I think most adults know the difference between porn and creativity. I think most art students don’t take a figure drawing class lightly. The figure drawing class I will be taking next year has to do with learning the human skeleton and muscle structure to better understand how to draw the outer contour of the unclothed and clothed human figure.
A year ago I was very uptight about the fact that I would have to look at nude models; but God in his infinite perspective created a situation where I became the light for a female nude model, 30 years younger then I. God is in it all, we can not put God in a religious box.


Jim Pischke said:

You are right, good point about Leviticus; so the college is doing something wrong from a Christian point of view. Wisdom as the bible points out is Satan’s weapon of choice, things may be wise to do down here on earth but I don't think anyone will be proud of it up in heaven when it is brought before all of heaven on judgement day that someone looked upon another person’s spouse. Even though God forgives me, I know it won’t be one of my crowning moments up in heaven to talk about, especially when God tells me in Leviticus I shouldn’t have done it.

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