![Photography, High dive, Richard Dunkley](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2003232_1_grid.jpg)
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![Photography, High dive, Richard Dunkley](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2003232_1_grid.jpg)
![Photography, Lagoon Diver, Richard Dunkley](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/1518042_1_grid.jpg)
![Painting, Guitarist (TR07), Atom Hovhanesyan](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2117787_1_grid.jpg)
Guitarist (TR07)
Atom Hovhanesyan
Painting - 91.4 x 61 x 2.5 cm Painting - 36 x 24 x 1 inch
€145,179
![Painting, Harlequin-2 (TR04), Atom Hovhanesyan](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/1937130_1_grid.jpg)
Harlequin-2 (TR04)
Atom Hovhanesyan
Painting - 121.9 x 91.4 x 2.5 cm Painting - 48 x 36 x 1 inch
€99,690
![Painting, Untitled (TR03), Atom Hovhanesyan](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/1937109_1_grid.jpg)
Untitled (TR03)
Atom Hovhanesyan
Painting - 121.9 x 91.4 x 2.5 cm Painting - 48 x 36 x 1 inch
€87,107
![Painting, Woman-3 (DIV018), Atom Hovhanesyan](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/1917936_1_grid.jpg)
Woman-3 (DIV018)
Atom Hovhanesyan
Painting - 121.9 x 61 x 2.5 cm Painting - 48 x 24 x 1 inch
€87,107
![Painting, Seated Woman (M&R04), Atom Hovhanesyan](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/1769577_1_grid.jpg)
Seated Woman (M&R04)
Atom Hovhanesyan
Painting - 86.4 x 45.7 x 1.9 cm Painting - 34 x 18 x 0.75 inch
€40,650
![Painting, Silent (M&R05), Atom Hovhanesyan](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/1769559_1_grid.jpg)
Silent (M&R05)
Atom Hovhanesyan
Painting - 86.4 x 45.7 x 1.9 cm Painting - 34 x 18 x 0.75 inch
€40,650
![Painting, Schädel, William Mountgoaten](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2015262_1_grid.jpg)
![Painting, N° 1119 Belgrade 16. Pobednik., R. Cavalié](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/1926801_1_grid.jpg)
N° 1119 Belgrade 16. Pobednik.
R. Cavalié
Painting - 41 x 24 x 2 cm Painting - 16.1 x 9.4 x 0.8 inch
€350
![Painting, See you, Dima Filatov](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2158621_1_grid.jpg)
![Sculpture, Ecce homo, William Mountgoaten](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2124399_1_grid.jpg)
Ecce homo
William Mountgoaten
Sculpture - 80 x 40 x 30 cm Sculpture - 31.5 x 15.7 x 11.8 inch
€6,700
![Sculpture, Janus, William Mountgoaten](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2124396_1_grid.jpg)
![Sculpture, Ecce homo, William Mountgoaten](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2124390_1_grid.jpg)
Ecce homo
William Mountgoaten
Sculpture - 190 x 40 x 40 cm Sculpture - 74.8 x 15.7 x 15.7 inch
€7,700
![Painting, Ecce homo, William Mountgoaten](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2088555_1_grid.jpg)
![Fine Art Drawings, Hands #5, Laurent Anastay-Ponsolle](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/1289475_1_grid.jpg)
Hands #5
Laurent Anastay-Ponsolle
Fine Art Drawings - 42 x 29.5 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 16.5 x 11.6 x 0 inch
€499
![Photography, Jambes N°1 9, David Martin](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2148679_1_grid.jpg)
![Sculpture, Me, the Painter, William Mountgoaten](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2129344_1_grid.jpg)
Me, the Painter
William Mountgoaten
Sculpture - 200 x 170 x 4.5 cm Sculpture - 78.7 x 66.9 x 1.8 inch
€11,000
![Painting, Der Schrei, William Mountgoaten](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2017386_1_grid.jpg)
![Painting, Ohne Titel, William Mountgoaten](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2017383_1_grid.jpg)
![Painting, Perfect Pattern - Closed Eyes, Roco Studio](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/1473927_1_grid.jpg)
Perfect Pattern - Closed Eyes
Roco Studio
Painting - 150 x 100 x 2 cm Painting - 59.1 x 39.4 x 0.8 inch
€2,999
![Fine Art Drawings, Hands#1, Laurent Anastay-Ponsolle](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/1262052_1_grid.jpg)
Hands#1
Laurent Anastay-Ponsolle
Fine Art Drawings - 42 x 29.7 x 0.1 cm Fine Art Drawings - 16.5 x 11.7 x 0 inch
€499
![Sculpture, Tinnitus, William Mountgoaten](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2014515_1_grid.jpg)
![Painting, N° 1103 Vukovar : l'émotion., R. Cavalié](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/1680750_1_grid.jpg)
N° 1103 Vukovar : l'émotion.
R. Cavalié
Painting - 61 x 50 x 2 cm Painting - 24 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch
€480
![Painting, Someone from Crazy Horse Painting, Kristina Malashchenko](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/1673700_1_grid.jpg)
Someone from Crazy Horse Painting
Kristina Malashchenko
Painting - 70 x 60 x 1 cm Painting - 27.6 x 23.6 x 0.4 inch
€2,250
![Painting, Peri is very trendy, Kristina Malashchenko](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/1663725_1_grid.jpg)
Peri is very trendy
Kristina Malashchenko
Painting - 100 x 100 x 1 cm Painting - 39.4 x 39.4 x 0.4 inch
€2,800
![Fine Art Drawings, Scène de vie variante, Valentine Bouvet](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2099649_1_grid.jpg)
Scène de vie variante
Valentine Bouvet
Fine Art Drawings - 29.7 x 21 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.7 x 8.3 inch
€220
![Photography, Look at me, Didier Cormillot](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/1724613_1_grid.jpg)
Look at me
Didier Cormillot
Photography - 40 x 60 x 0.2 cm Photography - 15.7 x 23.6 x 0.1 inch
€230
![Painting, Ballet-5, Anand Manchiraju](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/1899972_1_grid.jpg)
![Painting, U.S ballet dance-2, Anand Manchiraju](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/1844973_1_grid.jpg)
U.S ballet dance-2
Anand Manchiraju
Painting - 76.2 x 101.6 x 0.3 cm Painting - 30 x 40 x 0.1 inch
€3,871
![Painting, Pretty painting, Kristina Malashchenko](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/1663737_1_grid.jpg)
Pretty painting
Kristina Malashchenko
Painting - 100 x 70 x 1 cm Painting - 39.4 x 27.6 x 0.4 inch
€3,400
![Painting, Home Show, Kristina Malashchenko](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/1663656_1_grid.jpg)
![Fine Art Drawings, Scène de vie, Valentine Bouvet](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2099646_1_grid.jpg)
Scène de vie
Valentine Bouvet
Fine Art Drawings - 29.7 x 21 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.7 x 8.3 inch
€220
![Fine Art Drawings, Active variante, Valentine Bouvet](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2099643_1_grid.jpg)
Active variante
Valentine Bouvet
Fine Art Drawings - 29.7 x 21 cm Fine Art Drawings - 11.7 x 8.3 inch
€220
![Painting, Lord Siva Beholder of Ganges, Anand Manchiraju](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/1905363_1_grid.jpg)
Lord Siva Beholder of Ganges
Anand Manchiraju
Painting - 162.6 x 86.4 x 0.3 cm Painting - 64 x 34 x 0.1 inch
€3,388
![Painting, Ballet-4, Anand Manchiraju](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/1899969_1_grid.jpg)
![Painting, Der Schrei, William Mountgoaten](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2039319_1_grid.jpg)
![Painting, Cat Walk, Kristina Malashchenko](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/1673472_1_grid.jpg)
![Fine Art Drawings, Bouquet, Valentine Bouvet](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2129380_1_grid.jpg)
![Painting, Dance and peace, Anand Manchiraju](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2152042_1_grid.jpg)
Dance and peace
Anand Manchiraju
Painting - 76.2 x 101.6 x 0.3 cm Painting - 30 x 40 x 0.1 inch
€7,259
![Photography, Aventure d'une libertine XIX. From The Secret Album Series, Uwe Ommer](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2215000_1_grid.jpg)
Aventure d'une libertine XIX. From The Secret Album Series
Uwe Ommer
Photography - 37 x 30 x 0.3 cm Photography - 14.6 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch
€1,936
![Photography, Aventure d'une libertine XI, Uwe Ommer](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2213141_1_grid.jpg)
Aventure d'une libertine XI
Uwe Ommer
Photography - 37 x 30 x 0.3 cm Photography - 14.6 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch
€1,936
![Sculpture, Ilaria, Nando Kallweit](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2203208_1_grid.jpg)
![Print, Envol, Maude Ovize](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2215275_1_grid.jpg)
![Photography, Aventure d'une libertine XX. From The Secret Album Series, Uwe Ommer](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2215001_1_grid.jpg)
Aventure d'une libertine XX. From The Secret Album Series
Uwe Ommer
Photography - 60 x 50 x 0.3 cm Photography - 23.6 x 19.7 x 0.1 inch
€2,420
![Photography, Aventure d'une libertine XVIII. From The Secret Album Series, Uwe Ommer](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2214999_1_grid.jpg)
Aventure d'une libertine XVIII. From The Secret Album Series
Uwe Ommer
Photography - 60 x 50 x 0.3 cm Photography - 23.6 x 19.7 x 0.1 inch
€2,420
![Painting, La Seconde Eternelle, Hugo Pondz](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2215296_1_grid.jpg)
La Seconde Eternelle
Hugo Pondz
Painting - 80 x 120 x 3 cm Painting - 31.5 x 47.2 x 1.2 inch
€15,000
![Photography, Aventure d'une libertine V. From The Secret Album Series, Uwe Ommer](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2211395_1_grid.jpg)
Aventure d'une libertine V. From The Secret Album Series
Uwe Ommer
Photography - 37 x 30 x 0.3 cm Photography - 14.6 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch
€1,936
![Photography, Aventure d'une libertine XVII. From The Secret Album Series, Uwe Ommer](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2213144_1_grid.jpg)
Aventure d'une libertine XVII. From The Secret Album Series
Uwe Ommer
Photography - 37 x 30 x 0.3 cm Photography - 14.6 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch
€1,936
![Photography, Aventure d'une libertine III. From The Secret Album Series, Uwe Ommer](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2208581_1_grid.jpg)
Aventure d'une libertine III. From The Secret Album Series
Uwe Ommer
Photography - 37 x 30 x 0.3 cm Photography - 14.6 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch
€1,936
![Photography, Le Minou, Yevgeniy Repiashenko](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2214605_1_grid.jpg)
Le Minou
Yevgeniy Repiashenko
Photography - 60 x 40 x 3.5 cm Photography - 23.6 x 15.7 x 1.4 inch
€1,310
![Painting, Curiosity, Plamen Ovcharov](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2206238_1_grid.jpg)
![Photography, Extra Virgin Oil, Mathilde Oscar](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2189939_1_grid.jpg)
Extra Virgin Oil
Mathilde Oscar
Photography - 90 x 60 x 1 cm Photography - 35.4 x 23.6 x 0.4 inch
€1,200
![Photography, Aventure d'une libertine I. From The Secret Album Series, Uwe Ommer](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2208565_1_grid.jpg)
Aventure d'une libertine I. From The Secret Album Series
Uwe Ommer
Photography - 37 x 30 x 0.3 cm Photography - 14.6 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch
€1,936
![Fine Art Drawings, July. Drawings From the covid diaries series, Megha Joshi](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2205839_1_grid.jpg)
July. Drawings From the covid diaries series
Megha Joshi
Fine Art Drawings - 40.6 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings - 16 x 12 x 0.1 inch
€1,161
![Fine Art Drawings, March to June. Drawings From the covid diaries series, Megha Joshi](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2205010_1_grid.jpg)
March to June. Drawings From the covid diaries series
Megha Joshi
Fine Art Drawings - 40.6 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings - 16 x 12 x 0.1 inch
€1,161
![Sculpture, Femme pensive, Changzheng Zhu](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2214969_1_grid.jpg)
![Painting, Sans titre, Michel Lablais](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2213687_1_grid.jpg)
![Sculpture, Abandon, Marie-Madeleine Vitrolles](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2212867_1_grid.jpg)
Abandon
Marie-Madeleine Vitrolles
Sculpture - 40 x 25 x 12 cm Sculpture - 15.7 x 9.8 x 4.7 inch
€1,450
![Painting, Adam and Eve, Tsanko Tsankoff](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2211636_1_grid.jpg)
![Painting, Still-life with anatomical structure and curious green eyes, Vladimir Kolosov](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2210546_1_grid.jpg)
Still-life with anatomical structure and curious green eyes
Vladimir Kolosov
Painting - 50.8 x 40.6 x 2.5 cm Painting - 20 x 16 x 1 inch
€900
![Painting, Blind in the freedom of not having you II, Ritchelly Oliveira](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2186839_1_grid.jpg)
Blind in the freedom of not having you II
Ritchelly Oliveira
Painting - 35 x 35 x 3 cm Painting - 13.8 x 13.8 x 1.2 inch
€5,000
![Photography, Béton palavasien n°1 - Format M, Manon Deck-Sablon](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2213697_1_grid.jpg)
Béton palavasien n°1 - Format M
Manon Deck-Sablon
Photography - 90 x 60 x 0.1 cm Photography - 35.4 x 23.6 x 0 inch
€750 €675
![Photography, CaecuS - Format M, Louis Blanc](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2213639_1_grid.jpg)
CaecuS - Format M
Louis Blanc
Photography - 50 x 50 x 1 cm Photography - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch
€1,250
![Photography, CaecuS - Format L, Louis Blanc](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2213638_1_grid.jpg)
CaecuS - Format L
Louis Blanc
Photography - 70 x 70 x 1 cm Photography - 27.6 x 27.6 x 0.4 inch
€1,500
![Photography, CaecuS - Format S, Louis Blanc](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2213636_1_grid.jpg)
CaecuS - Format S
Louis Blanc
Photography - 30 x 30 x 1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch
€1,150
![Fine Art Drawings, Covid Nights, Neruda. Drawings From the covid diaries series, Megha Joshi](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2205008_1_grid.jpg)
Covid Nights, Neruda. Drawings From the covid diaries series
Megha Joshi
Fine Art Drawings - 40.6 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings - 16 x 12 x 0.1 inch
€1,161
![Fine Art Drawings, Wasted Love. Drawings From the covid diaries series, Megha Joshi](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2213483_1_grid.jpg)
Wasted Love. Drawings From the covid diaries series
Megha Joshi
Fine Art Drawings - 40.6 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings - 16 x 12 x 0.1 inch
€1,161
![Fine Art Drawings, True Story. Drawings From the covid diaries series, Megha Joshi](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2213471_1_grid.jpg)
True Story. Drawings From the covid diaries series
Megha Joshi
Fine Art Drawings - 40.6 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings - 16 x 12 x 0.1 inch
€1,161
![Painting, Amour Amor, Nawel Grant](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2212251_1_grid.jpg)
![Painting, Corolle, Jade Mouge](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2210045_1_grid.jpg)
![Painting, L'envol, Jade Mouge](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2193378_1_grid.jpg)
![Painting, L'animal de compagnie, Zafi](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2214946_1_grid.jpg)
![Photography, Le Lac n.3 - Format M, Manon Deck-Sablon](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2213689_1_grid.jpg)
Le Lac n.3 - Format M
Manon Deck-Sablon
Photography - 90 x 60 x 3 cm Photography - 35.4 x 23.6 x 1.2 inch
€750
![Photography, Pulchrum foruM - Format L, Louis Blanc](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2213646_1_grid.jpg)
Pulchrum foruM - Format L
Louis Blanc
Photography - 70 x 70 x 1 cm Photography - 27.6 x 27.6 x 0.4 inch
€1,250
![Photography, Pulchrum foruM - Format S, Louis Blanc](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2213640_1_grid.jpg)
Pulchrum foruM - Format S
Louis Blanc
Photography - 30 x 30 x 1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch
€900
![Painting, They didn't teach me how to be loved, Ritchelly Oliveira](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2187069_1_grid.jpg)
They didn't teach me how to be loved
Ritchelly Oliveira
Painting - 126 x 106 x 3 cm Painting - 49.6 x 41.7 x 1.2 inch
€10,600
![Photography, Mermaid - Format S, Deborah Zuanazzi](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2213756_1_grid.jpg)
Mermaid - Format S
Deborah Zuanazzi
Photography - 40 x 40 x 1 cm Photography - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch
€602
![Photography, Mermaid - Format M, Deborah Zuanazzi](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2213755_1_grid.jpg)
Mermaid - Format M
Deborah Zuanazzi
Photography - 60 x 60 x 1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 23.6 x 0.4 inch
€1,200
![Photography, Aventure d'une libertine XIV. From The Secret Album Series, Uwe Ommer](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2213143_1_grid.jpg)
Aventure d'une libertine XIV. From The Secret Album Series
Uwe Ommer
Photography - 60 x 50 x 0.3 cm Photography - 23.6 x 19.7 x 0.1 inch
€2,420
![Photography, Aventure d'une libertine VII. From The Secret Album Series, Uwe Ommer](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2211396_1_grid.jpg)
Aventure d'une libertine VII. From The Secret Album Series
Uwe Ommer
Photography - 60 x 50 x 0.3 cm Photography - 23.6 x 19.7 x 0.1 inch
€2,420
![Photography, Aventure d'une libertine IV. From The Secret Album Series, Uwe Ommer](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2211394_1_grid.jpg)
Aventure d'une libertine IV. From The Secret Album Series
Uwe Ommer
Photography - 60 x 50 x 0.3 cm Photography - 23.6 x 19.7 x 0.1 inch
€2,420
![Sculpture, OdaliX, Gaspard Mitz](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2210240_1_grid.jpg)
![Sculpture, L'Oiseau Blessé, Marc Petit](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2183374_1_grid.jpg)
![Painting, Ocean Light, Bill Bate](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2214980_1_grid.jpg)
![Painting, Inner Voice, Bill Bate](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2214979_1_grid.jpg)
![Painting, Templiers, Jérôme Sorolla "Le parrain des arts"](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2210955_1_grid.jpg)
Templiers
Jérôme Sorolla "Le parrain des arts"
Painting - 115 x 54 x 1 cm Painting - 45.3 x 21.3 x 0.4 inch
€1,200
![Photography, Smoking Away - Size L, Clara Diebler](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2213798_1_grid.jpg)
Smoking Away - Size L
Clara Diebler
Photography - 90 x 60 x 1 cm Photography - 35.4 x 23.6 x 0.4 inch
€1,200
![Photography, Smoking Away - Size M, Clara Diebler](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2213797_1_grid.jpg)
Smoking Away - Size M
Clara Diebler
Photography - 60 x 40 x 1 cm Photography - 23.6 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch
€500
![Sculpture, Petit relax VI, Pere Sala](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2213312_1_grid.jpg)
![Painting, Light Lilac Series #1, Ahsin Ahsin](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2211989_1_grid.jpg)
Light Lilac Series #1
Ahsin Ahsin
Painting - 60 x 50 x 2.3 cm Painting - 23.6 x 19.7 x 0.9 inch
€1,250
![Photography, La Piscine, David Djian](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2208916_1_grid.jpg)
![Photography, Artemis & Orion - Size S, Mathilde Oscar](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/2209526_1_grid.jpg)
Artemis & Orion - Size S
Mathilde Oscar
Photography - 90 x 60 x 1 cm Photography - 35.4 x 23.6 x 0.4 inch
€1,200
Human body
'I wanted to conquer the world. But I also desperately wanted to understand human nature, and to know what was inside our bodies. To do this, I have spent whole night dissecting bodies, against the direct orders of the Pope. Nothing disgusts me. What I am looking for, truly, in all of my work and particularly in my painting, what I have looked for all my life, is to understand the mystery that is human nature' – from the notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci in the 16th century.
At the time of writing these notes, da Vinci had already made greater understanding of the human body the primary objective of his investigations. Dissection and study were key to his development of a holistic knowledge of anatomy, which da Vinci believed was vital to the perfect rendering of the nude figures which he painted and drew.
Little by little, the traditional image of the human figure was uprooted and in its place new ways of interpreting the body developed. Contemporary artists relentlessly questioned the traditional codes of figure drawing, liberally reworking the representation of the body to create a new image that was dislocated, geometric, deformed and disfigured.
The body as an artistic subject is at once desired, fantasised, dreamt, transformed, deformed. For painters, photographers and sculptors alike the body represents a rite of passage in their artistic development. Many people say that they most appreciate the talents of an artists by way of their control over the complexity of the figure. For example, it's clear even in Matisse's later, more abstract collages that he had perfectly mastered the human form.
Representation of the body is fundamental to Western art: first and foremost because it suggests a representation of the self, and therefore affirms the artist's own existence and coexistence with the environment that surrounds them. At the beginning of art history, the only bodies represented were the gods, supernatural beings, and spirits who had taken on human form. The body, nude or clothed, is at once one of the most widely depicted and most deeply polemical subjects in Western art (think of the scandals provoked by Courbet's 'Origins of the World', or Renoir's 'Picnic on the Grass').
The body has always been the primary subject of an array of themes, and its history is rich and ancient. Initially, depiction of the body was closely linked to religion, where the Word became flesh in Genesis, but later in more secular times the arousal of the artist when faced with the body made for an equally popular theme. Latterly the notion of the body as an object of beauty was subverted by Cubism until depictions of bodies no longer bore any resemblance to reality or made any pretence of respecting the rules of proportion.
Finally, in modern art the body has taken on an abstract shape within space, becoming one with the environment. In some instances, the body has become the artist's own support, as with Klein's models. The body as an abstract concept is tangible in many different manifestations in art, even in pieces as unassuming as some of Rothko's paintings. It remains the subject of inexhaustible inspiration and eternal debate.