Image Reproductions

In this week's reading, Practices of Looking Chapter 3, a reproduction of a painting for a lotion advertisement was discussed. The book referenced La Grande Odalisque by Ingres which had been remade in a Keri lotion ad. It was explained how the reproduction suggested the author's decision to make a reference to the original painting, as a sort of marketing tool.

I realize this was a brief example in the course of the chapter's discussion, however, perhaps oddly, I found this interesting.

This happens often, surprisingly enough, in ads we (especially women) see in countless magazines.

I was specifically reminded of a photo shoot featured in Cycle 5 of America's Next Top Model. In the shoot, each model was given an original painting which she was to mimic in (oddly enough) a lotion ad.

The ad that stuck out to me the most was one done by the contestant, Kim. She was given The Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli. The image to the left is of the original painting.

This youtube video is of the entire portfolio from Cycle 5 of America's Next Top model. If you go to 6:12 on the video (go ahead and watch them all if you want) you will see the reproduced image of the painting.

I chose this particular reproduction because of how different the new image is from the original. The book's example was practically an exact reproduction. I referenced this because, despite the differences purposefully made in the ANTM reproduction of The Birth of Venus, the effect is generally the same. The lotion company that may use the ad is still banking on the reference to the original work. They are telling the viewer that their product embodies the image of the Greek goddess Venus. As she is the goddess of beauty and love, it is not a difficult connection to make between what she symbolizes and what the lotion company would want their consumers to believe they are purchasing with the products.