[Marvin Mattelson]

I too would applaud a section devoted to nude figure painting. It is such a huge part of our artistic tradition. The human body is beautiful and artists have celebrated and been inspired by that beauty for millenniums.

Mastering the nude figure is also the greatest training ground for those aspiring to be portrait artists. I start all my students at SVA off painting the unclothed figure. The lessons to be learned here cannot be denied. Because of the degree of difficulty involved, if one can successfully depict the human form, then one can paint anything.

I would hope that by showcasing and critiquing figure paintings here it would inspire more people to try painting the figure from life.

I would agree that inappropriate images should be screened out and I embrace the idea of a password or whatever means necessary in order to jump start this new section.

I know there may be some people who may be offended by this, but many artists of high moral values and devout religious beliefs have painted the nude figure and celebrated the beauty of the human form in their art. As we all know, paintings of nudes by the great masters are the heart and soul of great museums worldwide.