It is argued that the effect of nude representation of women upon
young men is unwholesome, but it would not be so if such works were
admitted without question into our galleries, and became thoroughly
familiar to them. On the contrary, it would do much to clear away
from healthy-hearted lads one of their sorest trials--that prurient
curiosity which is bred of prudish concealment. Where there is mystery
there is the suggestion of evil, and to go to a theatre, where you
have only to look at the stalls to see one-half of the female form,
and to the stage to see the other half undraped, is far more pregnant
with evil imaginings than the most objectionable of totally undraped
figures. In French art there have been questionable nude figures
exhibited; but the fault was not that they were nude, but that they
were the portraits of ugly immodest women. Some discussion follow'd.
There was a general concurrence in the principle contended for by the
reader of the paper. Sir Walter Stirling maintain'd that the perfect
male figure, rather than the female, was the model of beauty. After a
few remarks from Rev. Mr. Roberts and Colonel Oldfield, the Chairman
regretted that no opponent of nude figures had taken part in the
discussion. He agreed with Sir Walter Stirling as to the male figure
being the most perfect model of proportion. He join'd in defending
the exhibition of nude figures, but thought considerable supervision
should be exercis'd over such exhibitions.
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