Artistic nudes have had a complicated history, tied up with the male gaze, the public perception of what was 'decent' at different times in history, religion, and plenty of other factors. Surely the Preston nude can't be the only one that caused some controversy at the time. There is no specific reaction recorded to this particular painting, but it set me wondering if this had been a common occurrence in galleries throughout the land.
George Spencer Watson (1869–1934) Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum
