The idea of beauty in the human form has changed throughout the ages. In antiquity the body was admired and painted. It was not covered but rather expressed and shown in its true form. However, as time evolved and most of the known world came under the control of the church the human form was all but hidden except in biblical images and even then the human figures would not be nude. As time progressed the church lost influence and people began expressing themselves and their art in ways that we see today. It is interesting to look at the evolution of the human figure in art and how what might have been hidden away at one time is now considered common to see. Although the church was a deciding factor in medieval art modern art seems to be more affected by fashion. It seems that most body or human art in modern times has to deal with identity, objectification, and commercialism. Although people still do make art for art's sake it is starting to become a fashion statement. No longer do tattoos have a deep meaning to the wearer but are instead a symbol or a message of coolness or power. I'm reminded of something some one once told me about society and the body. They said that every generation thinks it discovered sex. This is because every generation attempts to get a little bit riskier then the one previous. There was a time when nudity was artistic but now because it is so common it is no longer a way of self expression but a way to sell products or ideas. IN general i think the idea of the artistic nude and the beauty of the body evolved but in recent years it has just become another way to sell a product or an image.
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