Reclining Female Nude 

This is *Reclining Female Nude*, painted by William Etty sometime in the first half of the 19th century. Etty was known for his frank depictions of the nude human figure, a boldness that reflects the changing social attitudes of the era. To understand its significance, we need to look at the social context in which it was produced and received. In early 19th-century Britain, the artistic establishment, particularly the Royal Academy, played a key role in shaping artistic taste and defining moral boundaries. Etty challenged those boundaries. Nudity was a controversial subject, often associated with classical or mythological scenes to justify its presence. Etty, however, depicted ordinary people. His intention was not to titillate but to celebrate the beauty of the human form, a progressive view that sometimes invited scandal. By researching the critical reception of Etty's work, we can better understand the changing attitudes toward the human body, the artist's role, and the social function of art in 19th-century Britain.