I was talking to Jeff Silverthrone yesterday about a topic not many of us seem to discuss and fear to even mention. It is under the lines of "child porn". One thing that strikes me the most is that in 1487, a painting by Hans Memling called, Diptych of martin van nieuwenhove is a painting of a woman and a child is rather remarkable. As the text states, "a meticulously detailed portrait with a visionary apparition of the Virgin and Child, presented as a powerful fiction of their physical encounter in Maarten's own home." This kind of portraiture would never be allowed in today's society.
Even something so significant in our history, it is just something we do not speak of. Stokstad goes on about "The Virgin and Child on the adjacent panel are presented frontally, and the strong sense of specific likeness characterizing Maarten's portrait has given way to an idealized delicacy and grace in the visage of the Virgin that complements the extravagance of her clothing."
You can see how much trouble the photographer, Sally Mann got in when photographing a picture of a young boy naked. It's an interesting topic to discuss, or shy away from. Our society no longer accepts young children naked as "art".
Here is a question, do you think this will change over time? In 1487 it was acceptable. When did it become so unacceptable, and why?
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