Victorian art collections can be an embarrassment for modern galleries but York Art Gallery decided to make the best of it.
William Etty of York, was a minor Victorian artist acquired a mastery of flesh tones and a penchant for painting nudes but whose reputation nosedived after his death. The Times critic led the objectors at the time ‘Nakedness without purity is offensive and indecent, and on Mr Etty’s canvases is mere dirty flesh.’ ...
![]() |
| Cleopatra's Arrival in Cilicia - William Etty - Typical Fleshy Work |
William Etty of York, was a minor Victorian artist acquired a mastery of flesh tones and a penchant for painting nudes but whose reputation nosedived after his death. The Times critic led the objectors at the time ‘Nakedness without purity is offensive and indecent, and on Mr Etty’s canvases is mere dirty flesh.’ ...
