In what ways did Manet's "Olympia" deviate from conventional depictions of the female nude?

This painting presented a clear challenge to the typical academic female nude. The conventional female nude was Classically modelled, with an even, well proportioned, alluring feminine body, of the type that had originated in Antiquity, and appeared throughout Western art since then. Manet contrasted this with his depiction of the main female figure in Olympia, she is not proportionately or even fully modelled, her skin tone is flat and she lacks shading. Furthermore, she challenges depictions of the typical female nude in that she does not present herself as sexually available, but instead confronts the viewer with a direct stare.

PK
Answered by Philip K. History of Art tutor

3185 Views

See similar History of Art A Level tutors

Related History of Art A Level answers

All answers ▸

What is the best way to structure an essay that is asking me to analyse three art works.


How can I make my visual analysis less descriptive and more analytical?


Perform a visual analysis of Annie Swynnerton's The Sense of Sight


In what ways does the painting 'La Grande Odalisque' by Ingres (1814) reflect an “orientalist” vision of the "East"?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning