Watch Shock of the Nude

Shock of the Nude is a compelling six-part series directed by Michael Waldman and presented by Dr. James Fox. The series explores the evolution of nudity and its acceptance in Western art. It highlights how these works were initially frowned upon for being inappropriate but eventually became an essential component of modern art and culture.

In each episode, the presenter, Dr. James Fox, takes us on a historical journey from the early Greek and Roman statues to present-day art pieces. He explores the influence of the church, the Renaissance masters, and the modernist movement on the perception of nudity in art. Each episode delves into a different period and brings to life some of the most iconic and influential artworks.

The first episode explores how nudity was initially viewed in the ancient world. It takes us to museums worldwide, where we witness the profound influence of ancient Greece and Rome on the art world. We see how nudity was an everyday occurrence in society at the time, and it was reflected in art. Dr. James Fox takes us on a journey through the significance of sculptures and mosaics, and how they gave life to the naked form, especially in classical artistic expression.

The second episode takes us through Christian art evolution and how the body led to accusations of blasphemy due to the perception that the human form is imperfect. We learn about the evolution of the Christian art and how artists used allegory and symbolization, including the use of nudity, to convey their message. The episode shows that religious censorship shaped the representation of nudity in art.

The third episode in the series takes us to the Renaissance era, where artists like Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci portrayed the human form with a new level of realism. We learn how the Renaissance led to a renewed acceptance of the nude as the classical ideal, and how the female form, in particular, was often used as a symbol of beauty.

The fourth episode explores how the body became a political tool during the Baroque era. It shows how artists used the depiction of the human form to convey political messages, something that was particularly prevalent in Rome at the time, where the Catholic Church was using art to combat the Protestant Reformation. The episode takes us through some of the most significant masterpieces of the Baroque era, including Gian Lorenzo Bernini's The Ecstasy of St. Theresa.

The fifth episode takes us through the 19th century, where the Human Body as a natural source of inspiration was up for debate. In this episode, we learn how the rise of photography and the modernist movement influenced the way artists viewed and represented the human form. It also delves into the controversy behind some of the artwork, including Édouard Manet's Olympia, which at the time was considered scandalous due to its realistic representation of a naked woman.

The final episode in this series looks at the modern approach to nudity in art. It explores the postmodern era and how artists have discarded traditional methods of representing the Human Body in their work. This episode looks at some of the most influential Modern pieces of artwork, including Yves Klein's "Anthropometry," which saw the artist use women's bodies like brushes to create art.

The series is a fantastic blend of history, art, and culture. It tells the story of how nudity went from unacceptable to one of the most celebrated forms of artistic expression. It evokes emotional responses, encourages introspection, and sparks conversations on topics of sexuality, taboos and the search for freedom of expression. Shock of the Nude is a must-watch for art lovers and anyone interested in understanding how this form of expression has evolved through the centuries.