The Passion of Collecting Academic Nudes

Join me as we explore my collection of Academic Nudes from the 18th, 19th, and Early 20th Centuries and serendipitous finds in the Museum, Art Auction, and Gallery world......examples from the Golden Age of the European Academie


Friday, November 11, 2011

Giulio Campi (1502-1572): Auferstehung Christi (Resurrection of Christ)

I was browsing through my usual haunts this morning and I stumbled upon this drawing by Giulio Campi (1502-1572) titled Auferstehung Christi. My casual method of scanning through hundreds of works is simply to let my eye react to some aspect of a work as it flashes by, looking for a nude form. Secondarily, like that game of "Where's Waldo?", I react to hidden eroticism. When I saw this drawing my eye was drawn to that figure leaning against the wall with his hand around what at first look appeared to be his personal and private member. Is he masturbating? What's going on? With a closer look, it became clear that what he actually held in his hand was the hilt of his sword. I have spotted additional erotic aspects to this composition. See if you can spot them too.
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