Confrontation

You could be forgiven some initial confusion with the National Gallery of Scotland’s first Confrontation. Barely in the door of the museum, an eye-catching sign directs an inquisitive viewer up the curving flight of stairs, each step adding to the excitement – what is the confrontation? Synonyms of showdowns and altercations drift around the brain as the suspense magnifies. And upon reaching the top?

... Well, nothing immediately reveals itself. Eventually, Lucas Cranach the Elder’s 'Venus and Cupid' comes into sight, occupying a wall with Otto Dix’ 'Nude Girl on a Fur'. Separated by 400 years, the two paintings are an intriguing choice for comparison, which makes the rather haphazard approach to their display so disappointing.

However, putting those concerns to one side, the artworks in themselves do offer a good show. Although Dix’ frank portrayal of a rather ecstatic-looking nude would at first appear at odds with Cranach’s rather demure Venus, there is more present than a simple glance suggests. A linear style characterises both, allowing the two females to stand out from their ambiguous surroundings, presenting them to us for greater scrutiny. This links neatly to their moral position, and despite some differences the two works offer a similar warning. In the Cranach, a barely veiled Venus takes the hand of Cupid and although his bow droops, the threat of mischievous lust is ever present. The white tints also detract from the warm flesh tones and create an unnerving vision of temptation. Dix’s nude, although curling her toes and exposing herself freely, stares blankly out of the picture, hair entwined with the fur to emphasise the beastly level she has fallen to. The sickly pallor of her skin also distances her from the furry mass and empties any idealising human warmth from the figure.

The two paintings interact well, encouraging a conversation of comparisons despite the years that separate them. Yet, this is all undermined by the poor decision to push the works out of direct sight, and they are in danger of simply blending into the country house wallpaper. Here’s hoping the next ‘confrontation’ display packs a little more punch.