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59-410: The painting is renowned for the straightforward and unashamed gaze of the model towards the viewer. It has also been cited as among the earliest Western artwork to depict a nude woman's pubic hair without obvious negative connotations (such as in images of prostitutes ). With this work Goya not only upset the ecclesiastical authorities, but also titillated the public and extended the artistic horizon of

118-464: A private room reserved for nude paintings, alongside such works as Velázquez's Rokeby Venus . Godoy retained the picture for six years before it was discovered by investigators for the Spanish Inquisition in 1808, along with his other "questionable pictures". Godoy and the curator of his collection, Don Francisco de Garivay, were brought before a tribunal and forced to reveal the artists behind

177-425: A blood feeding. Symptoms of a crab louse infection in the pubic area is intense itching, redness and inflammation. These symptoms cause increased circulation to the skin of the pubic region creating a blood-rich environment for the crab louse. Pubic lice infestation can also be diagnosed by identifying the presence of nits or eggs on the pubic hair. In December 2016 NPR reported that "Frequent removal of pubic hair

236-408: A close-up view of the vulva, with full pubic hair, of a woman lying on a bed with legs spread. In 1985, four weeks before his death, Rudi Gernreich unveiled the pubikini, a topless bathing suit that exposed the wearer's mons pubis and pubic hair. It was a thin, V-shaped, thong-style bottom that in the front featured a tiny strip of fabric that exposed the wearer's pubic hair. The pubikini

295-501: A dozen on average. Pubic lice are usually found attached to hair in the pubic area but sometimes are found on coarse hair elsewhere on the body (for example, eyebrows , eyelashes , beard , mustache , chest, armpits , etc.). Crab lice attach to pubic hair that is thicker than other body hair because their claws are adapted to the specific diameter of pubic hair. Pubic lice infestations ( pthiriasis ) are usually spread through sexual contact . The crab louse can travel up to 10 inches on

354-462: A free exposure of upper body hair in women of all classes with less rejection or discrimination than body hair on the sex organs, obviously to conceal by implication. Many people came to consider public exposure of pubic hair to be embarrassing . It may be regarded as immodest and sometimes as obscene . However, it never came to have a full hold in Western culture in wide tracts of Central Europe, until

413-411: A line of hair pointing towards the navel (see abdominal hair ), roughly a more upward-pointing triangle. As with axillary (armpit) hair, pubic hair is associated with a concentration of sebaceous glands in the area. Pubic hair can become infested with pubic lice (also known as crab lice). Adult pubic lice are 1.1–1.8 millimetres (0.043–0.071 in) in length. The pubic hair can usually host up to

472-436: A low-class Spaniard of the 18th and 19th century. The work has inspired other artists. Jeffrey Meyers, in his book Impressionist Quartet: The Intimate Genius of Manet and Morisot, Degas and Cassatt , opines that Manet 's Olympia "boldly alluded to another masterpiece, Goya's Naked Maja ." Two sets of stamps depicting La maja desnuda in commemoration of Goya's work were privately produced in 1930 and later approved by

531-489: A practice that became fashionable in the late 20th century. Shaving is used rather than bikini waxing because it can be performed daily, whereas waxing requires several days of growth before it can be repeated. According to feminist writer Caitlin Moran , the reason for the removal of pubic hair from women in pornography was a matter of "technical considerations of cinematography". Hair removal progressed to full removal. Because of

590-527: A souvenir. The curls were, for instance, worn like cockades in men's hats as potency talismans or exchanged among lovers as tokens of affection. The museum of St. Andrews University in Scotland has in its collection a snuffbox full of pubic hair of one of King George IV 's mistresses (possibly Elizabeth Conyngham ), which the notoriously licentious monarch donated to the Fife sex club, The Beggar's Benison . In

649-489: A tradition, and emulating a Velázquez painting which had been favoured by Philip IV of Spain . The earlier picture of Venus had been similarly kept out of view by that art-loving king in a private room, "the room where His Majesty retires after eating." In fact, the Inquisition by 1808 was nearing the end of its influence, and while it could draw attention to "dangerous" forms of expression, be they books, plays, or paintings, it

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708-489: A woman's bare skin between the ankle and waist started to be disapproved of culturally. Upper body exposure due to the use of the popular vest bodices used in Western Europe from the 15th century to early 20th century, as the widespread dirndls used even in more traditionally conservative mountain areas and the more or less loose shirts under these, enabled a permissive view of the shoulders, décolletage and arms allowing

767-425: A woman's legs in my life. Darn me if she wouldn't have to be sheared before man could get into her. Mar%C3%ADa del Pilar Teresa Cayetana de Silva y %C3%81lvarez de Toledo, 13th Duchess of Alba María del Pilar Teresa Cayetana de Silva y Silva-Bazán, 13th Duchess of Alba , GE (10 June 1762 – 23 July 1802), was a Spanish aristocrat and a popular subject of the painter Francisco de Goya . María Teresa, as she

826-480: Is a full frontal view. Goya's figuration is short and angular, while Velázquez's is elongated and curved, and his figure placed on richly coloured satin, which starkly contrasts to the bare white cloths Goya's maja rests on. The identity of the model and why the paintings were created are today unknown. Both paintings are first recorded in an inventory of "unpopular and unsuccessful art" by Prime Minister Manuel de Godoy , Duke of Alcúdia in 1800, when they were hung in

885-422: Is associated with an increased risk for herpes, syphilis and human papillomavirus". However, the medical community has also seen a recent increase in folliculitis , or infection around the hair follicle, in women who wax or shave their bikini areas. Some of these infections can develop into more serious abscesses that require incision with a scalpel, drainage of the abscess, and antibiotics. Staphylococcus aureus

944-705: Is called bikini waxing. The method of removing hair is called depilation (when removing only the hair above the skin) or epilation (when removing the entire hair). Beauty salons often offer various waxing services. It is sometimes referred to as "pubic topiary ". Sugaring , an alternative to waxing, uses a sugar-based paste, which may include lemon, rather than wax. Sugaring removes fewer skin cells than waxing. Other methods of hair removal include laser hair removal and electrolysis . Some women modify their pubic hair, either to fit in with societal trends or as an expression of their own style or lifestyle. Styles of pubic hair modification include: There are variations of

1003-415: Is indicated in the form of painted triangles. In medieval and classical European art, pubic hair was very rarely depicted, and male pubic hair was often, but not always, omitted. Sometimes it was portrayed in stylized form, as was the case with Greek graphic art. In 16th century southern Europe, Michelangelo showed the male David with stylized pubic hair, but female bodies were depicted hairless below

1062-507: Is known that the Director of Confiscations accepted that Goya had followed and emulated Titian 's Danaë series and Velázquez's Rokeby Venus ; two painters whose works, including their nudes, were admired by the court and church, and the Inquisition had previously found nothing objectionable in the Rokeby Venus . Goya escaped prosecution when the tribunal accepted that he was following in

1121-420: Is located on and around the sex organs , and sometimes at the top of the inside of the thighs , even extending down the perineum , and to the anal region . Pubic hair is also found on the scrotum and base of the penile shaft (in males) and on the vulva (in females). Around the pubis bone and the mons pubis that covers it, it is known as a pubic patch , which can be styled. Although fine vellus hair

1180-458: Is not much that I have not seen, felt or tried, with respect to this supreme female article." In like vein, in The Memoirs of Dolly Morton , an American erotic classic, the attributes of Miss Dean are noted with some surprise – her spot was covered with a "thick forest of glossy dark brown hair," with locks nearly two inches long. One man remarked: But Gosh! I've never seen such a fleece between

1239-456: Is often omitted, since for a long time the display of pubic hair was not legal. The interpretation of the law has since changed. L'Origine du monde (1866), by the French artist Gustave Courbet , was controversial for its realism, which pushed the limits of what was considered presentable at the time. In contrast to academic painting, which favored smooth, idealized nudes, this painting showed

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1298-401: Is present in the area during childhood, pubic hair is considered to be the heavier, longer, coarser hair that develops during puberty as an effect of rising levels of hormones: androgens in males and estrogens in females. Pubic hair differs from other hair on the body, and is a secondary sex characteristic . Many cultures regard pubic hair as erotic , and most cultures associate it with

1357-416: Is rumored to have been romantically involved and whose portrait he painted twice (in 1795 and 1797). However, many scholars have rejected this possibility, including Australian art critic Robert Hughes in his 2003 biography Goya . Many agree that Pepita Tudó is a more likely candidate. Others believe that the woman is a composite of several different models. The word maja is the feminine form of majo ,

1416-412: Is the more likely explanation. At puberty, many girls find the sudden sprouting of pubic hair disturbing, and sometimes as unclean, because in many cases young girls have been screened by their family and by society from the sight of pubic hair. Young boys, on the other hand, tend not to be similarly disturbed by the development of their pubic hair, usually having seen body hair on their fathers. With

1475-541: Is the most common cause of folliculitis. Burns can result when depilatory wax is used, even according to manufacturer instructions. Pubic hair grooming has been associated with injury and infection. It is estimated that about one quarter of the people who groom their pubic hair have had at least one lifetime injury because of the practice. Grooming has also been associated with cutaneous sexually transmitted infections , such as genital warts , syphilis , and herpes . According to John Ruskin 's biographer Mary Lutyens ,

1534-507: The Andalusian country seats of the House of Medina Sidonia ) shortly after the death in 1796 of her husband, who was also the 15th Duke of Medina Sidonia . Goya's accompaniment of the recently widowed duchess, combined with certain innuendo expressed in his portraits of her, have exacerbated rumors that the two were lovers. Although this has never been confirmed, the large number of portraits that

1593-542: The Clothed Maja placed in front of the current work; the pull of a cord revealed the nude version. Today they are hung side by side, although others have suggested that they were intended to be spaced apart, and seen in succession. It has been conjectured that the woman depicted was Prime Minister Godoy's young mistress Pepita Tudó . It has also been suggested that the woman was María del Pilar Teresa Cayetana de Silva y Álvarez de Toledo, 13th Duchess of Alba , with whom Goya

1652-473: The Kingdom of Spain . Their only rivals to this status were the House of Osuna . The duchess' relationship with famed Spanish painter Francisco de Goya and her somewhat eccentric personality have contributed greatly to a continuing interest in her life during the two centuries since her death. Goya executed several well-known portraits of the duchess, most of them during his stay at Sanlúcar de Barrameda (one of

1711-494: The ovaries or testes are defective and nonfunctional. There is little, if any, difference in the capacity of male and female bodies to grow hair in response to androgens. Pubic hair and underarm hair can vary in color considerably from the hair of the scalp. In most people, it is darker, although it can also be lighter. In most cases it is most similar in color to a person's eyebrows . Hair texture varies from tightly curled to entirely straight, not necessarily correlating to

1770-400: The sex hormones , and in response, the skin of the genital area begins to produce thicker and rougher, often curlier, hair with a faster growth rate. The onset of pubic hair development is termed pubarche . In males, the first pubic hair appears as a few sparse hairs that are usually thin on the scrotum or at the upper base of the penis (stage 2). Within a year, hairs around the base of

1829-689: The Brazilian wax in which a design is formed out of the pubic hair. Stencils for several shapes are available commercially. A controversial Gucci commercial included female pubic hair shaved into a 'G'. A woman or man's decision to grow or shave their pubic hair can play a role in attracting a partner. A Cosmopolitan study found that a plurality of respondents, both male and female, preferred partners who shave or at least trim their pubic hair. A smaller percentage of 6% of men and 10% of women preferred their partners to go natural and not shave or trim their pubic hair. In ancient Egyptian art , female pubic hair

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1888-663: The Spanish Postal Authority. The novel The Naked Maja (by Samuel Edwards , 1959) is based on Goya 's affairs with the Duchess. Later that same year, an Italian-French-American co-production film based on this novel (sharing the same name ) was made by S.G.C., Titanus Films, and United Artists . The painting figures into the plot of film Toto in Madrid , an Italian comedy film from 1959, directed by Steno , written by Vittorio Metz , starring Totò and Louis de Funès . In

1947-446: The age of 40. Although her death was ostensibly due to tuberculosis and a fever, more colorful scenarios have been suggested over the years, among them a theory that she was poisoned. (This theory was dramatized in the film The Naked Maja .) She had no biological children, although she did have an adoptive daughter, known as María de la Luz. After her death, the Alba ducal title passed to

2006-504: The armpits ( axillae ), perianal area, upper lip, preauricular areas (sideburns), periareolar areas ( nipples ), middle of the chest, neck under the chin, remainder of chest and beard area, limbs and shoulders, back, and buttocks. Although generally considered part of the process of puberty, pubarche is distinct and independent of the process of maturation of the gonads that leads to sexual maturation and fertility. Pubic hair can develop from adrenal androgens alone and can develop even when

2065-423: The artist painted of the duchess suggests, at the very least, a close platonic relationship between the two. The painting La maja desnuda , executed between 1797 and 1800 by Goya, has also been rumored to portray her. The painting, considered scandalous by Spanish society of the time, depicts a fully nude reclining woman. It, together with a companion piece depicting the same model clothed ( La maja vestida ),

2124-399: The body. Pubic lice infestation is found worldwide and occurs in all races and ethnic groups and in all economic levels. Pubic lice are usually spread through sexual contact and are most common in adults. Occasionally pubic lice may be spread by close personal contact or contact with articles such as clothing, bed linens, and towels that have been used by an infested person. Pubic lice found on

2183-479: The comedy film The Toy (1982 film) , U.S. Bates has a portrait of his young wife posed in imitation of La maja vestida . A hidden switch on Bates' desk causes the figure's clothes to slide away, making it now resemble La maja desnuda . Pubic hair Pubic hair (or pubes / ˈ p j uː b iː z / , / p j uː b z / ) is terminal body hair that is found in the genital area and pubic region of adolescent and adult humans. The hair

2242-499: The confiscated art works which were "so indecent and prejudicial to the public good." The controversy was populist and driven by a political motive, following a mob gathering demanding Godoy's removal as Prime Minister. In the fallout, Goya was named and summoned on a charge of moral depravity. As Godoy had only been found in possession of the painting, Goya was asked to identify why "he did them", and also "at whose request, and what attention guided him." His answers do not survive, but it

2301-592: The day. It has been in the Museo del Prado in Madrid since 1901. Although the two versions of the Maja are the same size, the sitter in the clothed version occupies a slightly larger proportion of the pictorial space; according to art historian Janis Tomlinson she seems almost to "press boldly against the confines of her frame", making her more brazen in comparison to the comparatively "timid" nude portrait. The painting carries many of

2360-518: The encroaching of Protestantism during the 16th century on formerly more tolerant customs. In the 1450s, British prostitutes shaved their pubic hair for purposes of personal hygiene and the combatting of pubic lice and would don merkins (or pubic wigs) when their line of work required it. Among the British upper classes during the Georgian era , pubic hair from one's lover was frequently collected as

2419-572: The erotic novel My Secret Life the narrator "Walter", an evident connoisseur of female pubic hair, talks with clear delight of a fine bush of a Scotswoman 's thick red pubic hair: The bush was long and thick, twisting and curling in masses half-way up to her navel, and it spread about up her buttocks, gradually getting shorter there. In another part of his autobiography Walter remarks that he has seen those "bare of hair, those with but hairy stubble, those with bushes six inches long, covering them from bum bone to navel." And he adds reflectively – "there

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2478-643: The feel of a hairless crotch. According to one academic study, as of 2016, approximately 50% of men in the United States practice regular pubic hair grooming, which can include trimming, shaving and removal. The study found that the prevalence of grooming decreases with age. Of males who groom pubic hair, 87% groom the hair above the penis, 66% groom the scrotum and 57% groom the penile shaft. All hair can be removed with wax formulated for that purpose. Some individuals may remove part or all of their pubic hair, axillary hair and facial hair. Pubic hair removal using wax

2537-456: The genitals, which people are expected to keep covered at all times. In some cultures, it is the norm for pubic hair to be removed , especially of females ; the practice is regarded as part of personal hygiene . In some cultures, the exposure of pubic hair (for example, when wearing a swimsuit) may be regarded as unaesthetic or embarrassing, and is therefore trimmed (or otherwise styled) to avoid it being visible. Pubic hair forms in response to

2596-407: The head or eyelashes of children may be an indication of sexual exposure or abuse. Pubic lice do not transmit disease; however, secondary bacterial infection can occur from scratching of the skin. They are much broader in comparison to head and body lice. Adults are found only on the human host and require human blood to survive. If adults are forced off the host, they will die within 48 hours without

2655-593: The head. Nevertheless, Michelangelo's male nudes on the Sistine Chapel ceiling display no pubic hair. In the late 18th century, female pubic hair was openly portrayed in Japanese shunga (erotica), especially in the ukiyo-e tradition. Hokusai 's picture The Dream of the Fisherman's Wife (1814), which depicts a woman having an erotic fantasy, is a well-known example. In Japanese drawings, such as hentai , pubic hair

2714-505: The hem lines also came into vogue. In some Middle Eastern societies, removal of male and female body hair has been considered proper hygiene, mandated by local customs, for many centuries. Muslim teaching (applicable to males and females) includes Islamic hygienical jurisprudence in which pubic and armpit hair must be pulled out or shaven to be considered as Sunnah . Trimming is taught to be considered acceptable. Women working in pornography typically remove their pubic hair by shaving,

2773-415: The increasing levels of testosterone in both girls and boys. Those hair follicles that are located and stimulated in androgen sensitive areas develop pubic hair. The Tanner scale describes and quantifies the development of pubic hair. Before the onset of puberty , the genital area of both boys and girls has very fine vellus hair ( stage 1 ). At the onset of puberty , the body produces rising levels of

2832-617: The notable author, artist, and art critic was apparently accustomed only to the hairless nudes portrayed unrealistically in art, never having seen a naked woman before his wedding night. He was allegedly so shocked by his discovery of his wife Effie 's pubic hair that he rejected her, and the marriage was later legally annulled . He is supposed to have thought his wife was freakish and deformed. Later writers have often followed Lutyens and repeated this version of events. For example, Gene Weingarten , writing in his book I'm with Stupid (2004) states that "Ruskin had [the marriage] annulled because he

2891-453: The penis are abundant (stage 3). Within 3 to 4 years, hair fills the pubic area (stage 4) and becomes much thicker and darker, and by 5 years extends to the near thighs and upwards on the abdomen toward the umbilicus (stage 5). Other areas of the skin are similarly, though slightly less, sensitive to androgens and androgenic hair typically appears somewhat later. In rough sequence of sensitivity to androgens and appearance of androgenic hair are

2950-411: The popularity of pornography, pubic hair shaving was mimicked by women, and it is among women outside the pornography industry that waxing became common in the late 20th and 21st century. The presentation is regarded by some as being erotic and aesthetic, while others consider the style as unnatural. Some people remove pubic hairs for erotic and sexual reasons or because they or their sex partner enjoy

3009-488: The reintroduction of public beaches and pools, bathing in Western Europe and the Mediterranean early in the 20th century, exposure of both sexes' areas near their pubic hair became more common, and after the progressive reduction in the size of female and male swimsuits, especially since the coming into fashion and growth in popularity of the bikini after the 1940s, the practice of shaving or bikini waxing of pubic hair off

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3068-399: The texture of the scalp hair. People of East Asian heritage tend to have black, wavy pubic hair. Pubic hair patterns can vary by race and ethnicity . Patterns of pubic hair, known as the escutcheon , vary between both the sexes and individuals. On most females, the pubic patch is triangular and lies over the vulva and mons pubis . On many males, the pubic patch tapers upwards to

3127-545: The traditions of depictions of the nude in Spanish art, but marks a clear break in significant ways, especially in her bold gaze. Further, the accompanying pendant showing a woman in contemporary dress makes it clear that the focus of the work is not of a mythological subject, as in Velázquez's Rokeby Venus , but in fact of a nude Spanish woman. More obviously, while Velázquez painted his Venus revealing only her back, Goya's portrait

3186-1013: Was Doña María del Pilar Teresa Cayetana de Silva Álvarez de Toledo y Silva Bazán, décimo tercera duquesa de Alba de Tormes, décima primera duquesa de Huéscar, sexta duquesa de Montoro, octava condesa-duquesa de Olivares, décimo primera marquesa del Carpio, décimo tercera marquesa de Coria, novena marquesa de Eliche, décimo segunda marquesa de Villanueva del Río, sexta marquesa de Tarazona, marquesa de Flechilla y Jarandilla, décimo primera condesa de Monterrey, décimo cuarta condesa de Lerín, décimo tercera condesa de Oropesa, décimo cuarta Condestablesa de Navarra, décimo segunda condesa de Galve, décimo cuarta condesa de Osorno, de jure duquesa de Galisteo, décimo primera condesa de Ayala, novena condesa de Fuentes de Valdepero, condesa de Alcaudete, condesa de Deleitosa, señora del estado de Valdecorneja, señora de las baronías de Dicastillo, San Martín, Curton y Guissens. The Duchess died under somewhat mysterious circumstances in July 1802 at

3245-410: Was called in her family, became the 13th Duchess of Alba in 1776 after inheriting the title from her paternal grandfather, Fernando de Silva, 12th Duke of Alba , who outlived her father. Her marriage the year before to José Álvarez de Toledo Osorio, 11th Marquess of Villafranca (a male-line descendant of Fadrique Álvarez de Toledo, 2nd Duke of Alba ), made her and her husband the wealthiest couple in

3304-541: Was commissioned by Spanish prime minister Manuel Godoy (the known lover of Spain's queen, María Luisa ). The true identity of the majas is uncertain. Many art historians over the years have rejected the possibility that the painting depicts the duchess, including Australian art critic Robert Hughes in his 2003 biography, Goya . Those scholars believe that the painting depicts either Godoy's young mistress, Pepita Tudó , or an idealized composite of several different models. The Duchess's full name with titles in Spanish

3363-486: Was described as a pièce de résistance totally freeing the human body. Evidence of pubic hair removal in ancient India is thought to date back to 4000 to 3000 BC. According to ethnologist F. Fawcett, writing in 1901, he had observed the removal of body hair, including pubic hair about the vulva, as a custom of women from the Hindu Nair caste. In Western societies, after the spread of Christianity, public exposure of

3422-541: Was horrified to behold upon his bride a thatch of hair, rough and wild, similar to a man's. He thought her a monster." However, there is no proof for this, and some disagree. Peter Fuller in his book Theoria: Art and the Absence of Grace writes, "It has been said that he was frightened on the wedding night by the sight of his wife's pubic hair; more probably, he was perturbed by her menstrual blood." Ruskin's biographers Tim Hilton and John Batchelor also believe that menstruation

3481-545: Was usually unable to fully suppress them. La maja desnuda has always hung alongside, above, or before its companion. They were twice in the collection of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando , also in Madrid, being "sequestered" by the Inquisition between 1814 and 1836 before being returned. They have been in the Prado since 1901. It is not known if the two works were intended to be hung together. One early account gives

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