The Fascinating Tale of the First Nude Sent Through Mail
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Chapter 1: Understanding Cultural Shifts
Cultural evolution presents a captivating area of study, particularly when examining historical events that predate our digital age. This narrative transports us back to a time when creativity was essential for communication, unlike today's instant messaging and video calls that require just a click.
Every aspect of our contemporary lives has roots in the past. From sending a WhatsApp message to having a video chat with someone far away, the technology enabling such interactions is a culmination of long-standing ideas and efforts. Remarkably, our technological progress in the last twenty years has outpaced that of the previous two centuries.
This discussion centers on a particular act that has gained immense popularity in our digital era. Despite advancements that now make such actions quicker and safer, the medieval past offers us a fascinating anecdote—one in which a woman sent a nude image to a man through traditional postal services.
Sarah Goodridge — The Miniature Portrait Artist
Isn't it peculiar that we delve into the history of nude art today? However, every form of expression, including nudes, has its origins. In this case, we trace back to the easel of Sarah Goodridge.
Goodridge, born in 1788, was renowned for her miniature paintings. As one of six siblings, her artistic talent was perhaps a family trait, with her elder sister, Elizabeth, also a miniature artist. Many of Goodridge's most celebrated works feature canvases no larger than 6 centimeters!
While the first camera came into existence in 1685, it wasn't until 1814 that the world saw its first photograph. Thus, cameras were far from commonplace in the 19th century. People primarily visualized art through paintings and prints.
Daniel Webster — A Lawyer & Politician
Goodridge found great joy in painting one of her favorite subjects—Daniel Webster. An influential American lawyer and politician, Webster was well-known for his firm support of federal governance. Their relationship, however, transcended mere friendship.
When Goodridge met Webster, he was married with three children, which complicated their connection. Their affair was quite scandalous, given his status and responsibilities. Goodridge preserved many of his letters, while Webster, ever cautious of his reputation, discarded hers. Their relationship continued, and she created numerous portraits of him over the following decades. Following the death of Webster's first wife in 1828, Goodridge's hopes were reignited. At that time, it was customary for lovers to exchange portraits of their features as tokens of affection.
The First Nude of History
Goodridge, as an artist, crafted something particularly unique for Webster—an artwork that could be considered the first-ever nude sent through the mail. While many artists had painted nude women before, this marked the first instance of a woman creating and sending her own nude image as a private gesture of affection.
Instead of a conventional portrait focusing on her eyes or lips, Goodridge chose to depict her bare breasts, complete with delicate details, as a reminder of her youthful allure. This watercolor piece was executed on ivory, measuring approximately 2.5 by 3.1 inches, and was sent to Webster in a carefully folded envelope in 1828.
Ambitious as he was, Webster prioritized his career over their romantic involvement. He became a senator and married Caroline LeRoy in 1829, a woman whose connections promised to advance his political aspirations. Nevertheless, this marriage did not sever his ties with Goodridge, who continued to paint him and maintain their relationship.
Goodridge never married and eventually retreated from public life as her eyesight deteriorated. She returned to her hometown in Massachusetts, where she lived until her death in 1853, shortly after Webster's passing in late 1852.
While the depth of Webster's feelings for Goodridge remains a mystery, a poignant discovery was made after his death: the miniature painting of her breasts, titled 'Beauty Revealed,' was found among his personal belongings. This artwork is currently displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, albeit in a different frame from the one it was originally found in.
The first video, titled "Ritual Nudity in History and Religion - Ronald Hutton," delves into the cultural implications of nudity across various historical contexts, offering a deeper understanding of the subject.
The second video, "The Rokeby Venus: Velázquez's only surviving nude | The National Gallery," explores the significance of one of the most celebrated nude paintings in art history, further contextualizing the role of nudity in art.
References:
- 'Come to us and we will comfort you...' - Sarah Goodridge and Daniel Webster
- A Shocking Beauty Revealed: Sarah Goodridge & Daniel Webster
- Sarah Goodridge | Beauty Revealed | American | The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Sarah Goodridge - Wikipedia
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art