Olympia Painting Analysis

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Olympia on the Sierra Nevada

Artists are masters of manipulation. They create unimaginably realistic works of art by using tools, be it a paintbrush or a chisel as vehicles for their imagination to convey certain emotions or thoughts. Olympia, by Manet and Bierstadt’s Sierra Nevada Mountains both are mid nineteenth century paintings that provide the viewer with different levels of domain over the subject. The subject of Olympia (1863) is a woman; who’s name is presumed to be Olympia. She is a prostitute is laying in a bed, looking out at the viewer. Olympia is a master at her profession, as can be told by the bouquet of flowers that have been gifted to her. Judging by the state of the sheets on the bed, it is quite apparent that she has recently entertained a client. Unlike most previously made nude paintings, the subject is in control, rather than the viewer having complete domain. Olympia allows one to fix their gaze upon her but, she is in control of anything else that is going to happen. If the viewer wishes to interact with Olympia, it is by her grace, on her command and it I not going to be free. The subjects of Bierstadt’s Sierra Nevada Mountains (1868) are the mountains. The viewer is separated from the mountains by a valley. Positioned high above the valley, the viewer can see all it contains, this …show more content…

Sierra Nevada Mountains makes the viewer feel in control making them feel as if they are the ruler of all they survey. Olympia creates a feeling of near professionalism and obedience. Olympia is clearly in charge, she is confident, serious and knows she has what the onlooker wants. The viewer can look as long as they wish at Olympia, but they will get nothing else unless they pay and Olympia allows it. Both paintings however, allow their audiences to feel varying levels of control, pleasure and desire to engage with the painting

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