The Feminine Male

Figure 2 Winged Youth

Figure 1 Psyche Surprising the Sleeping Eros

Womanly features present in the art of men is a trend of the Neoclassical period. Abigail Solomon-Godeau explores these techniques further in her essay 'The Other Side of Vertu."  Solomon continues stating the relocation of sensuality portrayed in the male figure in art is a sign of the time. According to the above examples, Louis Lagrenee's piece (Figure 1) illustrates the realistic skeletal of a young boy whereas the portrait in figure 2 created later shows the male figure with fuller thighs and rounded hips. This is a clear disitnction from early works such as Lagrenee who portrayed the male body ideally. This feminization of the male body reveals the heavy influence of feminine beauty and the aspiration to achieve it. The painting of the ephebic body is a tradition of the Greek style so in the revival of this art expression during neoclassicism came the introduction and emphasis of female features with regard to status and beauty. The noticeable transition offered this art as the alternative male.