There is no difference between the words "naked" and "nude", in my opinion the words are pretty much interchangeable. The only thing that is different is how one interprets the words. A "nude" or "naked" body can be represented in a variety of ways. Most people will use the word "naked" when referring to a body presented in an arousing or sexual way, "naked" has a raw connotation, whereas many people use the word "nude" when referring to a body presented in an artistic way, which focuses on the form and shape of the body. I believe that it is the presentation of the "naked" or "nude" body that makes the difference, not which word is chosen to describe it. For example, if a strip club uses the phrase "all nude dancers" one does not attribute the strip club to art just because the word "nude" was used.
Nude in art can show the beauty of the naked body, and that can be appreciated by men, women, children, the elderly and so forth, depending on how it is presented of course. For instance, the "David", by Michelangelo can be looked at as a work of art and can be admired as art. It was not created to be erotic or to be presented as sexual, it was created to show the beauty of a naked body as a whole and while it clearly shows all parts of the body it does not focus on the genitalia. Nude in art is absolutely different then pornography. Pornography exists to arouse and it is strictly presented as sexual material, it usually focuses on the sexual act, not the nude body or its beauty as a whole. Pornography in any form, such as film and magazines cannot be appreciated as art because it is not art; pornography is produced and sold for arousal purpose not artistic purpose.
In my opinion, it does not make the slightest bit of difference whether a man or woman is the artist of a nude body in art. If an artists goal is to present the nude body in an artistic and beautiful way then the gender is meaningless. Interpretation of what is "beautiful" is the only variable, if the intention of the artist is to present the nude body in a tasteful and artistic manor; ones interpretation should not vary much due to gender.
It is clear that society has a great effect on women and how they look at themselves and what they see is being beautiful. [Women] continue to be identified more with their sexuality and judged more by appearance and according to narrower ideals of beauty. As a result, those without the proper looks or attitude tend to lose out (http://www.contemporaryartproject.com/cap/Othercontent/Portraityoung.htm). That statement clearly defines the age that we are living in. Society and the media (television, movies, magazines, etc.) portray women as unattractive and...
