Edouard Manet (1832-1883) Le déjeuner sur l'herbe [Luncheon on the Grass] 1863 Oil on canvas H. 208; W. 264.5 cm In France, 1863, controversy came about after this piece was shown at an art show. It was called obscene and offensive. The size, composition, depth, and subject matter were erroneous to a 19th century community. [quote]One interpretation of the work is that it depicts the rampant prostitution that occurred in the Bois de Boulogne, a large park at the western outskirts of Paris, at the time. This prostitution was common knowledge in Paris, but was considered a taboo subject unsuitable for a painting.[/quote] [quote]The presence of a nude woman among clothed men is justified neither by mythological nor allegorical precedents. This, and the contemporary dress, rendered the scene strange and almost unreal. [/quote] This work is often called the start of modernism in art, however it was slandered at the time it was made, and now, I highly doubt this is very offensive to any of you. [b]Why? Are we as a society less moral now than ever? Will this just continue until we are completely demonized? [/b] Some people describe the current generation as one with stunted morals, sex fiends, drug users, immoral music, reduced number of church goers, impractical pregnancies, etc. [b]Are we just breaking contemporary code, such has this painting, or is society destroying itself? [/b] Also, leave the spam in other threads please. Nobody cares for it.