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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To disagree with dh over "art" being too erotic to hang in home

66 replies

Ginga66 · 20/07/2012 00:15

We were given a wedding present of a copy of titian's 'venus of urbino' by my little brother. Dh has protested it for years as he does not like my brother. It is quite large and dominates our living room.
Recently though he looked it up and as art goes it is considered a bit explicit due to the nude having her hand more or less at her private parts. I have to say I misinterpreted this as modesty but it is the opposite.
We have a three year old and a five week old. At ds1 birthday party some of the other parents tutted a bit and so have dh's family. I put this down to prudishness, lack of education, overly British etc etc.
Dh tried to wind me up tonight by saying social services would not approve!
I don't want ds1 to be exposed to anything that might be innapropriate but I don't want to buy into a culture of shame about bodies either.
Should I take the picture down? I am thinking a plain old nude is one thing but re examining this it is fairly erotic. I have no problem with my kids growing up one day obviously they will be exposed to sex education etc buti want to preserve their innocence. However I also don't want them to feel any shame or to be hemmed in by philistine like thinking.
Thoughts on this?

OP posts:
squeakytoy · 20/07/2012 00:15

Best stealth boast I have seen in a while Grin

Alameda · 20/07/2012 00:18

did you steal it from the gallery in florence? Shock

NewNameNiceyNicey · 20/07/2012 00:21

Something like this?

GooseRocks · 20/07/2012 00:21
Grin
ChocolateTeacup · 20/07/2012 00:21

LOL

WorraLiberty · 20/07/2012 00:21

It's a copy...they sell them on Romford market Grin

I think you're over thinking it really....just tell the kids she' covering her bit and bobs...it worked for you didn't it?

Having said that, if it's dominating the room and your DH doesn't like it I'd say you should compromise and hang it somewhere else.

Do you have an outside loo?

2MumsAreBetterThan1 · 20/07/2012 00:22

I would have no problem displaying it, it is art and children will see it as nothing more than a nude lady. Children don't have to have the whole world censored, there is nothing wrong with nudity.

And tell your DH that social services won't care. I have several Tanya Chalkin (google her) photos up on my wall and the health visitor admired them.

UserNameNotAvailable · 20/07/2012 00:26

I had to google the painting and although it's not my cup of tea I don't find it erotic at all. She's got her baps out [shrug] nothing your dc wouldnt see at home or on the beach on holiday with topless women sunbathing.

whackamole · 20/07/2012 00:27

Really? People really and truly get wound up about that sort of art?

Good grief.

Socknickingpixie · 20/07/2012 00:29

Yanbu
he's being daft

Alameda · 20/07/2012 00:29

it's a good wedding present though, was painted as one (I think) is definitely about marital duties anyway

SummerRain · 20/07/2012 00:29

To be fair, there are much nicer classical paintings to have a copy of on your wall Grin

Why not put the masturbating Venus in your bedroom to really annoy dh and pick something else for the main living area of the house?

WorraLiberty · 20/07/2012 00:32

I have to say it is a god awful picture to hang on any wall of the house imo

I can't think of any room it would look ok in...and that's nothing to do with the nudity, just the paining itself.

Softlysoftly · 20/07/2012 00:36

It's not particularly rude so yanbu, if it just looks too big though you have to compromise with DH on that point, living space needs to be comfortable for all.

Ty for bringing back the memory of a statue of wrestling Greek men tugging each others willys in my grandads fancy woman's flat though, I forgot about it until now!

Alameda · 20/07/2012 00:36

I love her! would hang it on my wall, if any of my walls were big enough

ImperialBlether · 20/07/2012 00:36

Why is it a stealth boast? She's hardly saying she has the original.

I wouldn't want it at home - I prefer abstract art - but I also wouldn't want a gift displayed if I didn't like the person who sent it, particularly if it involved sexual imagery. I can understand your husband's POV. I don't think people should buy art for others to have in their home - it's too personal.

HipHopOpotomus · 20/07/2012 00:39

Isn't the issue that your DH has to live with a large painting he dislikes in the living room? I wouldn't like to live like that. You should both at least like it perhaps leaving more contentious pieces to hang on less in your face walls.

cocolepew · 20/07/2012 00:40

It looks like she's having a scratch she must have crabs. And why is there someone in the background looking like they have their head down the toilet?

Alameda · 20/07/2012 00:42

it's the maid, looking for venus's clothes and symbolising motherhood silly

cocolepew · 20/07/2012 00:42

Oh yeah. Of course.

Alameda · 20/07/2012 00:46

see?

RubyFakeNails · 20/07/2012 00:50

Worra Don't knock Rommy market, I go a lovely one off there about a year ago!

It's not my kind of thing, but if you like it hang it (although its not really fair that your DH has to look at a hideous painting he doesn't like so often), we have lots of nudes and 'sexual' imagery around the house. I am yet to raise any depraved children.

GwendolineMaryLacey · 20/07/2012 01:00

Softlysoftly I've got one of those. My dad bought it for me and thought it was hysterical. it's at the back of a very deep cupboard.. :o

bogeyface · 20/07/2012 01:01

I was about to ask why there is someone yakking up in the background but I see that that has been covered!

Its not my thing but it wouldnt bother me particularly

biddysmama · 20/07/2012 01:07

all i can see is the woman that looks like she is throwing up in the background