BerndSome interesting thoughts and a good read I found on the net:
**Why are so many statues naked? An art historian explains this tradition’s ancient roots**
By Anna Swartwood House, March 2, 2026
Why are so many statues naked? – Artie, age 12, Astoria, New York
We are all born naked, and sculptures of the human body in its natural state are as old as humankind.
In the history of art, nudity does not have just one meaning; it can express everything from innocence to sexual desire, from triumph to defeat. The 20th-century art historian Kenneth Clark made a distinction between the “naked,” meaning unclothed and ashamed, and the “nude,” meaning the body in its most beautiful form. Most people today use the two words interchangeably, though.
The most influential male nude statues come from ancient Greece, starting in the sixth century B.C.E. There were a number of reasons for this cultural focus on the nude male body – in fact, the classics scholar Larissa Bonfante encouraged thinking of Greek nudity not just as a lack of clothing but as a “costume” in and of itself. In other words, nudity was something you wore in particular situations.
Carving in stone of an idealized nude male figure with one leg ahead of the other
Artists portrayed many of the valued figures in Greek society – including gods, athletes, warriors and heroes – naked. Nudity was a feature of public life in certain settings: For example, athletes exercised and competed in the nude, and statues of the brawny nude demigod Herakles might adorn a temple. Nude, striding statues of young men called kouroi were used both as offerings to the gods and as grave markers.
Having a fine, athletic, youthful body, whether honed for athletic competition or for fighting wars, was not only a sign of being “kalos,” or beautiful, but also could prove your “arete,” or excellence.
Embodying ideals of beauty and excellence...
Continue to the source:
https://theconversation.com/why-are-so-many-statues-naked-an-art-historian-explains-this-traditions-ancient-roots-271821
#Nudity2026 #FKK #Freikörperkultur #Naturism #Nudism #Nudity #Nudist #ProudNudist #GetNakedGermany #Bodyfreedom #TeamNaturist #NaturistSymbol #IamTheFaceOfNaturism #NormalisingNaturism #HikeNaked #Nacktwandern #NaturismusNeuErleben #EinfachMachen #ClothingOptional #BeBareBeProud #Mastodon #BodyAcceptance #Nacktbaden #Skinnydip #BodyPositive #Diversity #TopFreedom #FreeTheNipple #ClothesFree #ClothesFreeLife
**Why are so many statues naked? An art historian explains this tradition’s ancient roots**
By Anna Swartwood House, March 2, 2026
Why are so many statues naked? – Artie, age 12, Astoria, New York
We are all born naked, and sculptures of the human body in its natural state are as old as humankind.
In the history of art, nudity does not have just one meaning; it can express everything from innocence to sexual desire, from triumph to defeat. The 20th-century art historian Kenneth Clark made a distinction between the “naked,” meaning unclothed and ashamed, and the “nude,” meaning the body in its most beautiful form. Most people today use the two words interchangeably, though.
The most influential male nude statues come from ancient Greece, starting in the sixth century B.C.E. There were a number of reasons for this cultural focus on the nude male body – in fact, the classics scholar Larissa Bonfante encouraged thinking of Greek nudity not just as a lack of clothing but as a “costume” in and of itself. In other words, nudity was something you wore in particular situations.
Carving in stone of an idealized nude male figure with one leg ahead of the other
Artists portrayed many of the valued figures in Greek society – including gods, athletes, warriors and heroes – naked. Nudity was a feature of public life in certain settings: For example, athletes exercised and competed in the nude, and statues of the brawny nude demigod Herakles might adorn a temple. Nude, striding statues of young men called kouroi were used both as offerings to the gods and as grave markers.
Having a fine, athletic, youthful body, whether honed for athletic competition or for fighting wars, was not only a sign of being “kalos,” or beautiful, but also could prove your “arete,” or excellence.
Embodying ideals of beauty and excellence...
Continue to the source:
https://theconversation.com/why-are-so-many-statues-naked-an-art-historian-explains-this-traditions-ancient-roots-271821
#Nudity2026 #FKK #Freikörperkultur #Naturism #Nudism #Nudity #Nudist #ProudNudist #GetNakedGermany #Bodyfreedom #TeamNaturist #NaturistSymbol #IamTheFaceOfNaturism #NormalisingNaturism #HikeNaked #Nacktwandern #NaturismusNeuErleben #EinfachMachen #ClothingOptional #BeBareBeProud #Mastodon #BodyAcceptance #Nacktbaden #Skinnydip #BodyPositive #Diversity #TopFreedom #FreeTheNipple #ClothesFree #ClothesFreeLife
