Human Art

I was reviewing the presentation posted on Fox’s “This Week in Photos” (linked via title bar); specifically the third picture. Two, maybe three things came to mind looking at the lady painted green from the waist up.

I thought how beautiful the human body is when viewed in its natural state and form, the image of God. There have been countless attempts to sculpt in clay, marble and bronze such an exquisite form; the goal of great artists in nearly every age. Museums on every continent are literally walled from one end to the other with oil paintings from the masters who captured, momentarily, the graceful design that our Creator gave us. I should add that there is a difference between admiring a work of art and lusting after the flesh; something which had perplexed mankind ever since the Garden of Eden.

“What a piece of work is man! how noble in reason! how infinite in faculty! in form and moving how express and admirable! in action how like an angel! in apprehension how like a god! the beauty of the world, the paragon of animals!” Hamlet quote (Act II, Sc. II).

I was reminded of the Sci-fi work of Robert Heinlein as he teased, using words rather than canvas, his readers with similar images. I’m sure someone with a better memory will be able to recall which specific book detailed the lady who would show up on occasion wearing only body paint, a ravaging beauty whether she was clothed in the finest linens, revealing silks or strategically painted; her desire was to be a pleasant distraction. It was a game to see if her efforts were noticed; yea right, and men buy the Sports Illustrated Swim Suit issue to see which team is going to the playoffs.

Last on my list of jogged memories was the original Star Trek television series. One of the episodes had Captain Kirk being tempted by a mysterious woman with green skin. The setting was something akin to a fancy night club; maybe more like a sultan’s tent with a dream like quality as the woman tempted Kirk to forget his responsibilities, to think of nothing but the charms she could provide him with. The Star Trek series was written as modern day morality plays, and so in the end, Kirk was reminded that he was already married; to the Enterprise.

What’s the old expression, “A picture is worth a thousand words”? This time it was worth only 423; but, you get the picture.