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According to Kant, Wincklelmann and Ruskin, beauty is a mode of appreciating objects/images that gives us pleasure and that seduce us. The essay sets out to evaluate works of art that is more in sync with contemporary politics and culture. 

Historically, western art  considers images of nude white women to be aesthetically pleasing or provides the viewer pleasure. The article argues that in order to look at a piece of art objectively one must free themselves of any political or cultural biases.  White male have been the ones that gave authority to what is considered beautiful.  I believe Mapplethorpe's work is direct response to the Western art's consideration of beauty.  Looking at Robert Mapplethorpes's work, photographs of a chiseled black male figure, would someone consider this piece of art beautiful? Depends on who is looking at it and when. Amelia Jones also brings Renee Cox's photograph to light of a beautiful muscular black woman with children. Renee Cox's pieces empowers women of color and communicate strength and beauty associated with motherhood. Contemporary art pieces do not include paintings of nude white females but provides a different perspective of what one considers beautiful. 


image 1: https://www.moma.org/collection/works/199950
image 2: https://www.reneecox.org/yo-mama?lightbox=i31hmp

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