Getting naked

The tradition of nude painting goes back thousands of years, and is arguably the most visible and consistent theme in art throughout history. The tr?©s chic Chase Gallery brings this theme to Newbury St. this February with a new exhibit, Revealing the Nude: A Timeless Passion, which opened on Wednesday. The exhibit closely examines modern nude painting and its place in present day America. Though works like Botticelli's now famous and well-respected Venus once drew gasps from audiences, nudity has become a much more respected part of art in our culture and a part of our visual vocabulary. The exhibit hopes to bring viewers closer to an understanding of why nudity in art has become more acceptable.