Top 15 most controversial art paintings of all time

Paintings can catch an audience attention within a second when they first lay eyes on them. When they do, they can either give good feedback or bad but there are many paintings that can offend people that will make them turn away. Today I am counting down the top 15 most controversial art paintings of all time. Be warned because this is for mature audiences only so if you do not want to take a look, I advise you to turn away now. Every painting, I will give a brief description to why they are controversial. Now let’s start the countdown.

15. One Nation Under Socialism by Jon McNaughton (2012)

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One of the most modern paintings on this list, this painting by Jon McNaughton has been very controversial because it puts U.S. President Barack Obama in a bad light. This painting shows the U.S. president burning the constitution of the United States while pointing at the flame.

14. Burial at Ornans by Gustav Courbet (1850)

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The Burial at Ornans is considered one of the turning points of French Art during the 19th century. It basically portrays a funeral scenario, which was inspired by the funeral of the uncle of Courbet in Ornans. This larger than life representation was considered offensive by the public and many critics because of its intense expression of grief.

13. The Guitar Lesson by Balthasar Klossowski de Rola (1934)

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In this painting, Polish-French painter De Rola depicted young girls in several erotic positions. It sparked controversies because of its erotic nature, both among older women and young girls. This painting shows an old woman with a young girl on her lap, pulling her genitals like a guitar.

12. Self-Portrait by Albrecht Dürer (1500)

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This self-portrait was created at a time when northern Europe was already starting to adopt Renaissance art. It became highly controversial because the position of Durer was supposed to be the position of Christ. In this painting, Durer was facing the viewer and has his other hand right at the middle of his chest, as if offering a blessing. This was found blasphemous by the Catholic Church and the public.

11. Olympia by Edouard Manet (1863)

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Olympia by Edouard Manet features a female nude as its subject and is said to be reminiscent of the La Maja Desnuda masterpiece of Goya. The self-assured prostitute depicted in this painting is considered a form of vulgarity by many, especially because the nudity is very brightly stressed through the use of light colors.

10. The Gross Clinic by Thomas Eakins (1875)

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Painted by Thomas Eakins, The Gross Clinic was first submitted to an exposition but was rejected because of its gruesomeness. This painting became highly controversial because of its odd representation, which involved a sexually vague patient and a mother sitting beside him/her. The painting was also spattered with blood.

9.The Rape by René Magritte (1945)

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Painted by the famed Belgian artist in 1945, The Rape both looks and sounds like a violation, however political the painting might be. Appearing like a portrait, the painting shows the face of a woman but instead of the familiar features, her eyes have been replaced by breasts, her nose by a belly button and her mouth by her pubis. Utilizing the ideas of Surrealism and a sense of metaphor in tandem, the painting seems to offer up a harsh opinion of how men might see women, particularly destined, as they were at that time, by their anatomy.

8. The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living by Damien Hirst (1991)

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Never one to shy away from controversy, Hirst financed by Charles Saatchi arranged for a Tiger Shark to be caught of the coast of Queensland Australia and shipped over to the UK. Costing some £50,000 to catch and preserve the beast in a giant glass and steal box, he wrote on the on the technical specifications of the painting; Tiger shark, glass, steel, 5% formaldehyde solution, 213 x 518 x 213 cm. Upon its unveiling, in 1992, The Sun called it “£50,000 for fish without chips”, art critic Robert Hughes blamed Hirst directly for the art market’s “cultural obscenity” and animal rights groups attacked Hirst’s use of a living animal for the purpose of art. Needless to say, Hirst sold the shark for millions.

7. The Prophet by Cedric Chambers (2013)

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This painting by Cedric Chambers has sparked controversies because of its depiction of Jesus Christ being carried by Darth Vader, with images of the Twin Towers at the background. This painting was found offensive by at least three parties, including the Roman Catholic Church, the fans of Star Wars and New Yorkers.

6. Virgin of the Rocks by Leonardo Da Vinci (between 1483-1486)

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An painting by Leonardo da Vinci. Virgin of the Rocks currently hangs at the Louvre and has been a major source of controversy since it was introduced. This painting basically depicts the Immaculate Concepcion, which the Roman Catholic Church finds offensive because Mary and Jesus Christ do not have halos.

5. Madame X by John Singer (1884)

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This portrait of Madame X was made to depict the infamous adulterous woman of the French society named Virginie Amelie Avegno Gautreau. It spurred controversy due to suggestive pose of the subject which was described as self-centered, arrogant, and vulgar. Such flaunting was simply not done by women of social standing. This painting is currently on display in Manhattan, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

4.The Enigma of William Tell by Salvador Dali (1933)

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This weird, shocking and offensive painting by Salvador Dali is considered one of the most unusual paintings that could ever be exhibited in a museum. This painting depicts Russian communist revolutionary Vladimir Linen so outrageously that event the founder of surrealism himself sought to destroy it.

3. Sick Bacchus by Caravaggio (1593)

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Sick Bacchus features as its subject a pale figure with blue lips which closely resembles someone with a sexually transmitted disease called syphilis. By the time Caravaggio painted this, he himself was suffering from the disease because of his multiple partners. Many found this painting offensive because it symbolizes sexual liberation.

2. The Death of Marat by Jacques Louis David (1793)

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This famous and controversial painting was created by Jacques Louis David; a French revolutionary leader. What made this painting so offensive to observers at that time was that it depicted the painter himself dead in his bath tub. This painting is currently exhibited in the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Belgium.

1. The Origin of the World by Gustave Courbet (1866)

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This bold painting (censored due to graphic material) by Gustave Courbet depicts graphical yet realistic eroticism in an effort to protest against academic paintings and their smooth, idealised nudes.

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DRAGONBALL​Z: BATTLE OF GODS out on Blu-ray/DV​D

 

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Blu-ray & DVD (Extended Edition) To Be Released October 7, 2014

Includes: Uncut Version and Theatrical Versions of the Movie


Flower Mound, TX – (September 22, 2014) – After its successful theatrical release to over 800 movie theaters in the U.S. and Canada, FUNimation is preparing you to witness Dragon Ball Z as it has never been seen before- on Blu-ray and DVD October 7th 2014!

“…some of the most exhilarating fight sequences I’ve ever seen.” IGN.com

Stunning animation and epic new villains highlight this first new Dragon Ball feature film in over seventeen years!  For Film Trailers, Wall Papers and everything Dragon Ball Z, visit and link to: www.dragonballz.com

Following the events of the Dragon Ball Z television series, after the defeat of Majin Buu, a new power awakens and threatens humanity. Beerus, an ancient and powerful God of Destruction, searches for Goku after hearing rumors of the Saiyan warrior who defeated Frieza. Realizing the threat Beerus poses to their home planet, the Z-fighters must find a way to stop him before it’s too late. Only Goku, humanity’s last hope, can ascend to the level of a legendary Super Saiyan God and stop Beerus’s from destroying Earth, and possibly the entire universe!

“…I highly recommend it.” – Indiewire’s Animation Scoop

DETAILS

  • Includes: Uncut Version and Theatrical Versions of the Movie
  • Format: Blu-ray& DVD
  • Language: English, Japanese
  • Subtitles: English
  • Closed Captioning: No
  • Rating: TV-PG
  • Aspect Ratio: 16×9
  • Main Feature Audio: Dolby TrueHD: English 5.1,Dolby TrueHD: Japanese 2.0,Dolby TrueHD: Japanese 5.1, English 5.1 Surround, Japanese 2.0,Japanese 5.1 Surround
  • Special Feature Audio: Dolby TrueHD: English 2.0,Dolby TrueHD: Japanese 2.0,English 2.0,Japanese 2.0
  • Main Feature Runtime: 105
  • Special Feature Runtime: 33
  • Region: A|1
  • Number of Blu-ray Discs: 1
  • Number of DVDs: 2
  • Studio: FUNimation
  • UPC: 704400015649

About FUNimation® Entertainment

FUNimation® Entertainment is the leading anime company in North America. FUNimation has a proven formula for launching and advancing brands. They manage a full spectrum of rights for most of their brands including broadcasting, licensing, production, internet, and home video sales and distribution. For more information about FUNimation Entertainment and its brands, visit www.funimation.com or FUNimation Channel.

Lady Aiko art show in Red Hook

By Ben Velasquez

As a fan of traditional old school grafitti writing, stencling was one of those things that was shunned upon because it was considered “cheating”. fast forward to today’s grafitti movement  and it has taken a different direction.

No matter what you of course still have those sprayers who stick to traditional grafitti, but professional grafitti artist like stenciler lady Aiko have taken a turn for the better.

When you see her massive work as well as small pieces she makes stencling look difficult. Her endless talent is one to blame. I myself never thought I would see the day were stencling was taken to a whole other level. Aiko’s work is  fantastic, figurative, detailed and most of all unique. We caught up with aiko for a quick interview during her last showing at gallery Brooklyn. Which is closing it’s doors after Aiko’s show. The show is called “The Bunny party” and it’s on display until Saturday the 28th. Closing party is the 29th 6-10.

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Cope2 and Ben Frost art show

By Ben Velasquez

An hour into the show and I helped the DJ set up. But nobody is here. Pulling up in a silver Honda cargo van cope shows up half hour early for tonight’s show which also features artist Ben Frost. although the beginning of the show was a tad bit slow,it soon got crowded once cope settled  in.
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Cope2’s fine art paintings were once again something out of the norm for the Bronx born legend. His canvases featured plaster, stucco, spray paint, oils and pastels. As well as some stencils.

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Ben frosts paintings were unique as well which included heavily influenced comic book and cartoon like style.

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Over all the environment was chill, laid back with good music and the never ending supporting crowd.

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Other graffiti legends such as EASY, Sen4, Sev and camera man June Toress were some names amongst the crowd.

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How MOMA could really be modern – Part 1-GRAFFITI

THIS IS PART 1 OF A 3 PART STORY OF THE ART SOCIETY

PART 1 GRAFFITI (the urban palate)

The Moma located on 53st between 6th and 5th avenue in Manhattan New York has been the home of “modern” art and pop art icons for the last 79 years.They opened their doors on November 7, 1929 and have since been the place for artist of the “underground” movement. artist like Van Gogh, Gauguin, Cezanne, and Seurat. Campbell Soup Cans by Andy Warhol nicely round out the hallowed halls.

but one persons art is another mans anger. cause many a great artist of the true modern age have been omitted from the halls of this so-called great museum. the true urban artist. Graffiti is one of the last modern art forms it draws acclaim and criticism alike it is respect over seas and spit upon domestically. graffiti defines generations and it defines neighborhoods alike.

Its place as art is shown in the form of old school block Letters and solid color fillings. it draws from music and comic books. each artist risk life and freedom to do it, making it the only art form that could take your life. So why does the MoMa not have expos on Graffiti?

simple…..(this next section is complete rant reader beware)

these so called experts in the field of art can not see past their own blurred vision of the world, art done in the abstract is considered high end and art created in protest and outspokenness has no place in the halls of the mighty MOMA. The walls adorn with paintings of cans of soup and canvases with a cut in the center hold more meaning to an empty vessel that is the upper elite then real art …art done for the sake of art.

Walking down the hallways of the MOMA you can see all of the waste of money the Art Elite has given out. all these artist claim stake in the fact that their art has meaning, go ask REVS and Cost,Riot 208 or JA or any of the others what their art meant and they would tell you.

It means LIFE and DEATH it means FAMILY and Friends, gangs and brotherhood. it means being on the outside looking in. the art of the street is art for the so called lower class the middle class and the people who live pay check to paycheck. the lines in a piece define a person, the more bubble the letter, the bigger the outline, the crazier the art, the more colors it all means something …none of which is a free ride to fame. that road is bumpy and long and sometimes it means the end!

Modern Art is Graffiti. it defines a neighborhood a town a city an understanding while the rest of the world and more mainstream media except it the more MOMA and the Blue blood fakes push it away.

when the day MOMA allows the walls to be deck out in krylon and Montana spray paint. that will be the day when Grafitti as an art form dies. the world has reconized the art form and we do not need the critics to tell us what is allowed we live in an era when we make our own choices and we choice to enjoy true modern art whereever it is