Theorising the female nude in art history

23 Abril 2026, 17:00 • Paula Alexandra Carvalho Alves Rodrigues Horta

This lesson explored how the “frame” operates both as a visual device and a cultural mechanism that shapes meaning in representations of the female body. Drawing on the work of Lynda Nead, it critiqued the traditional art-historical category of the female nude, examining how it functions as a form of containment that regulates sexuality, bodily excess, and the viewer’s gaze. Students compared key theoretical perspectives, including Kenneth Clark, John Berger, and T. J. Clark, to assess differing assumptions about gender, representation, and power, particularly through the distinction between the “naked” and the “nude.” 

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Performance Art

21 Abril 2026, 17:00 • Paula Alexandra Carvalho Alves Rodrigues Horta

This lesson examined key performances by Marina Abramović, exploring how the body functions as both subject and object while inviting critical analysis of audience participation and responsibility. It investigated themes of power, control, consent, and vulnerability. The lesson also considered how gender influences audience perception and encourages ethical reflection on emotional exposure, highlighting performance art as a collaborative space where meaning emerges through interaction and context.

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The Body in Art

16 Abril 2026, 17:00 • Paula Alexandra Carvalho Alves Rodrigues Horta

Students explored the body as a central subject throughout art history, examining how cultural values have shaped its representation across time. They learned to distinguish between realism and idealisation, while critically engaging with the tradition of the nude. Students also considered the body as a site of identity and lived experience, reflecting on feminist perspectives and contemporary challenges to idealised forms. 

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Materiality, Power, and the Viewer in "May I Help You?"

14 Abril 2026, 17:00 • Paula Alexandra Carvalho Alves Rodrigues Horta

Students explored how contemporary artworks in the exhibition "May I Help You?" use different materials and forms to communicate ideas. They examined how artists address political and social issues, developing skills to interpret deeper meanings within artworks. Students also reflected on the role of the viewer in the exhibition, considering how personal perspectives and interactions can influence the understanding of art.

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Guided tour to the exhibition "May I Help You?" at MAC/CCB (Museum of Contemporary Art/ Centro cultural de Belém)

9 Abril 2026, 17:00 • Paula Alexandra Carvalho Alves Rodrigues Horta

The guided tour provided in-depth context, thematic insights, and perspectives on  technique and narrative in a selection of artworks.

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