Assignment #2

Olympia- Edouard Manet

 

 

Together as a class we analyzed two paintings. One of the paintings being Olympia by Edouard Manet. The paining is of a woman lying on a bed surrounded by pillows and blankets. Next to her, is a servant handing her flowers. While looking at this piece we had to describe what we first saw when looking at the picture, what feelings we received by looking at it, what grabbed our attention, and what conclusions we had about the painting. In my opinion, this painting is portraying upper class superiority and the power and control the rich had over the poor.

 

The first thing I noticed while looking at this painting was a naked white woman lying on what appears to be a bed. Underneath her are two pillows and some blankets. She is accessorized; wearing a bracelet, a necklace/ribbon, heels, and a bright pink flower in her hair. By her side is a darker skinned woman who appears to be a servant and is holding her flowers. At the foot of the bed is a black cat. These are all symbols of upper class superiority. The fact that the woman is lying naked on a bed gives a sense of power. The fact that the naked woman has accessories and a cat at the foot of her bed is a symbol of wealth. She also has a servant who is giving her flowers while she is lying in bed, which is another symbol of her wealth.

 

The woman who is lying on the bed has an expression on her face as if she is looking over you. She looks cocky as if she knows that she is in power. She is not acknowledging the fact that there is a servant next to her giving her flowers. She seems like she thinks that she is higher and better than her servant. This to me, is another example of upper class superiority and the power and control that this rich woman has over her poor servant.

 

In my own view, the painting Olympia by Edouard Manet is a clear example of the power and control that the upper class had over those who were poor.  The naked white woman on the bed represents the rich,who look above people such as the servant who was poor.

 

http://understandingart.tumblr.com/post/8830650977/venus-olympia