In the art world, some pieces of art are known more for the controversy they produce than for their artistic and technical merits. These controversial artworks exist across all genres and mediums, bringing plenty of attention to independent artists and the museums and galleries responsible for housing their work.
But what is a “controversial artwork”? It depends on the historical and cultural context. The way people respond to art depends heavily on where they live and what society considers acceptable at the time. For example, some of the most controversial art pieces of the 12th and 13th centuries would barely make a ripple based on today’s standards.Newport Brushstrokes Fine Art put together this guide to help you understand what makes art controversial and provide some background information about the most controversial artists and works of art in history.
Sources of Controversy
Throughout art history, many artists have decided to paint or sculpt nude figures. Today, few people are disturbed by a painting featuring nudity. That wasn’t the case when Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel, however. In the 1500s, the Catholic Church was highly influential, so many considered nudity in art unacceptable. As a result, Michelangelo faced extensive criticism for incorporating nude figures into his fresco.
This is an excellent example of how the definition of controversial art changes with the times. Although many still have strong religious beliefs, the Catholic Church doesn’t have as much power to determine what’s acceptable and what isn’t.
Different cultures have different expectations regarding modesty. The importance of modesty has also changed over time, leaving people more tolerant of adult themes in paintings, sculptures and other types of artwork. For example, in 1866, Gustave Courbet shocked the world with The Origin of the World, which focused on a woman’s genitals instead of her face and upper body. By cropping out other body parts, Courbet almost forced viewers to focus on a realistic view of the woman’s genitals, which was considered shocking at the time.
The viewer’s tolerance for nudity also changes with the subject matter. By the time Pablo Picasso started painting, audiences were used to seeing nude figures in famous artworks. However, Picasso’s Les Demoiselles d’Avignon became controversial due to his decision to paint five naked prostitutes. Although the naked bodies are painted as flat planes, audience members were shocked by the positioning of the nude figures.
Most Controversial Artworks in History
Every art movement, from Renaissance art and impressionism to surrealism and modern art, has had its share of controversy. Here are some of the best-known examples of controversial art from different periods.
Dropping a Han Dynasty Urn 1995
Ai Weiwei, an activist whose father was persecuted by the Chinese government, uses his artwork to comment on Chinese identity. In one of the most controversial examples of contemporary art, Ai Weiwei was photographed as he dropped a 2,000-year-old urn, allowing it to crash at his feet. When he released the photographs, people were outraged by what they believed was a form of cultural desecration. Weiwei called this work a “cultural readymade,” or a piece of art that takes a functional object and turns it into something more.
Piss Christ
Andre Serrano created Piss Christ by submerging a crucifix in a tank of his own urine. At first, the resulting photograph was well-received. Then, however, the controversy heated up when it won a competition sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts. Because the NEA receives government funds, two US senators believed it inappropriate to give an award to something so “indecent.” Outraged by seeing a crucifix submerged in the artist’s urine, some people even sent death threats to Serrano.
Self
Marc Quinn created a stir when he unveiled Self, a self-portrait featuring a cast of his head with his own blood poured over it. Every so often, Quinn adds new blood to the cast, which allows him to update his artwork as time passes. This is one of the most controversial works of the 20th century because of its gruesome nature.
The Holy Virgin Mary
In 1996, Chris Ofili captured the attention of art critics worldwide when he released The Holy Virgin Mary, a significant departure from the religious iconography popular in the 12th, 13th and 14th centuries. Rather than depicting the Virgin Mary as a loving mother or important religious figure, Ofili painted a Black Virgin Mary surrounded by buttocks and female genitalia. He intended to bring attention to the use of racial stereotypes in Western artwork, but religious leaders and government officials weren’t convinced. Rudy Giuliani threatened to pull funding from the Brooklyn Museum for displaying such a controversial work of art.
Dread
While enrolled at the Art Institute of Chicago, Scott Tyler debuted a piece called Dread, which featured an American flag lying flat on the floor. The flag was accompanied by a manual hanging on the wall, but to read the manual, viewers would have to step on the flag. Critics claimed that Tyler was desecrating the flag, making this one of the most controversial artworks of the 20th century.
Find the Right Artwork
The Newport Brushstrokes Fine Art Gallery has reproductions from every art movement, along with original artwork from talented contemporary artists. We also offer the World Heritage Art Treasury (WHAT), making it possible to invest in works of art that appreciate over time. So whether you want a controversial art piece or something more sedate, we can help you find just the right work of art.
