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Art of Loving Italy

Art of Loving Italy

Art & Beauty are all around us.

The Art of the bidet and the urinal.

March 19, 2020 by Melissa Muldoon Leave a Comment

bidet-urinal-art-duchamp-Christopher-Des-Rosiers
Victorian Bidet, Affaire d’Eau

What is Art?

Can it be found in the design of a bidet or a urinal?

In my opinion, of course! I’m a big contender that Art can be found in the most unusual places — even the bathroom. It is all in the way you see and perceive things.

Back in 1917, Marcel Duchamp put on display his “found art” or “ready-made” series, which included this piece called “Fountain.”

bidet-urinal-art-duchamp-Christopher-Des-Rosiers
Marcel Duchamp

“Fountain” is one of Marcel’s most famous works and is widely seen as an icon of twentieth-century Art.

The original, which is lost, consisted of a standard urinal, and was signed and dated “R. Mutt 1917.” A replica is now on display at the Tate Gallery in London.

At the time of its presentation, there was a great uproar. Critics who viewed “Fountain” for the first time refused to believe a urinal could possibly be considered a work of art as it was, indecent and immoral.

In 1917 an editorial appeared defending the piece, most probably written by Beatrice Wood:

‘Mr. Mutt’s fountain is not immoral, that is absurd, no more than a bathtub is immoral. It is a fixture that you see every day in plumbers’ shop windows. Whether Mr Mutt with his own hands made the fountain has no importance. He CHOSE it. He took an ordinary article of life, placed it so that its useful significance disappeared under the new title and point of view – created a new thought for that object.’ 

Art is supposed to make the viewer think, and one certainly does delve deep into controversy when one contemplates the “Fountain.” Once taken out of context, Mutt’s urinal takes on new meaning and significance. We see it juxtaposed against society and its issues and cultural developments as well as the psychology of modern thought processes.

Similarly, one may interpret the bidet as something other than just a functioning piece of toiletry. For me when I contemplate the bidet and its history it becomes a fascinating piece of art and takes on new meaning.

bidet-urinal-art-duchamp-Christopher-Des-Rosiers
Early Bidets, Pinterest

The word “bidet” comes from the French word for “pony” because it resembled a squat, little horse.

It originated in France around the year 1710, and its purpose was to cleanse private areas. There is a raging debate, based on the Italian obsession with the bidet that it was designed first in Italy… but most likely, as with many inventions, it was developed in both countries simultaneously to serve a growing need for improved personal hygiene.

bidet-urinal-art-duchamp-Christopher-Des-Rosiers
Louis-Léopold Boilly – Femme à Sa Toilette

Back in the 1700s few people took baths or showers on a weekly or even monthly basis, so this was a handy invention. Thanks to indoor plumbing in the 19th and 20th century the porcelain bowl found its way into the bathroom.

bidet-urinal-art-duchamp-Christopher-Des-Rosiers
Early Bidets, Pinterest

With the never-ending human desire to beautify objects, the first “arty” bidets are attributed to the French furniture maker Christopher Des Rosiers. He created beautifully decorated porcelain bowls, inlaid and painted with designs around the base and the interior. This was the first time in history that toilets were designed to look pretty!

bidet-urinal-art-duchamp-Christopher-Des-Rosiers
Early Bidets, Pinterest

Even Napoleon, himself, had a unique bidet made of silver. He took his particular bidet around the world on all his travels. Interesting to note, silver has a natural anti-microbial nature, and thus essentially kept itself clean.

So what do you think?

Can it be found in the design of a bidet or a urinal?

Can a urinal or a bidet be considered art?
Whatever your stance, it is up for
you to contemplate and decide.


bidet-urinal-art-duchamp-Christopher-Des-Rosiers
Early Bidets, Pinterest

For a little more history on the bidet check out this link that appeared in the Atlantic.

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Filed Under: Modern, 18th, 19th, Contemporary Tagged With: bidet, Christopher Des Rosiers, duchamp, urinal

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My girls on mugs! Artemisia, Sophia, Sofonisba and My girls on mugs! Artemisia, Sophia, Sofonisba and Eleonora… the heroines of my four novels set in Italy.

Escape to Italy in the pages of a novel!

Melissa Muldoon is the author of four novels set in Italy: Dreaming Sophia, Waking Isabella, Eternally Artemisia, and The Secret Life of Sofonisba Anguissola. All four books tell the stories of women and their journeys of self-discovery to find love, uncover hidden truths, and follow their destinies to shape a better future for themselves. 

Available on Amazon in Print, Epub, and Audio. Links in bio.

5 Stars - Dianne Hales (author of La Bella Lingua, La Passione, and Mona Lisa-A Life Discovered): A true Renaissance woman, Melissa Muldoon weaves her passions for art and Italy into a stirring saga that sweeps across centuries. As her time-traveling heroine, Maddie reconnects with kindred souls, we meet Artemisia Gentileschi, the 17th–century artist who overcame rape and ignominy to gain respect and acclaim. Historical figures such as Galileo and Mussolini also come to life in this intricately plotted novel. Still, the women who defy all constraints to take control of their destinies are the ones who prove to be eternally fascinating. 
 
5 Stars - Lize Amazon Reader: What a lovely story! Melissa weaves the lives of 4 women across time, all with some connection to Artemisia Gentileschi, a 16th-century Italy painter. They represent the feminine strength that arises from life challenges, each with unique intelligence. Underlying their stories is the idea that love transcends all, even time; love is timeless. As with her other books, Melissa fills the story out with interesting facts and references to Italian life, culture, and its history; her attention to detail is immaculate. I loved the many connections in this story that tied it all together; very cleverly done. Wonderful read; I would highly recommend it.

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Ciao! Sono Melissa, la studentessa Matta. Sono c Ciao! Sono Melissa, la studentessa Matta. 

Sono contenta che mi stia seguendo qui su Instagram!

I’m pleased you are following me on Instagram. I help you to learn Italian.

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Addio a Gina Lollobrigida. Lo star del cinema ital Addio a Gina Lollobrigida. Lo star del cinema italiano è scomparsa. È successo ieri, Mercoledì 18 gennaio. La diva italiana aveva 95 anni. 

Più ricordata come un modello e attrice - una vera bomba, molto sexy e seducente, Gina Lollobrigida era una donna di talenti incredibili che comprendeva tutte le arti - cinema, fotografia e scultore. 

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Ieri sera ho ricevuto una dolce sorpresa. Una vici Ieri sera ho ricevuto una dolce sorpresa. Una vicina di casa ha fatto marmellata in casa e mi ha dato un vasetto! Oggi l'ho spalmata sul mio toast! Il gusto è veramente ottimo! Grazie Brianna!

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