The Evolution of a Tan

The world's cultures and beliefs were not created in a short period of time, but rather built upon over the centuries. Here, we are going to explore the various levels of sun tanning and how the perception of sun tanning has changed over time.

Madame X a painting dated from 1884, by John Singer Sarget is the paining of focus. However, the concepts around sun tanning are the same for almost all of the paintings of the time and previous periods such as the Enlightment, Rococo, Renaissance and Baroque.

The painting creates a contrast in color to enhance Madame X’s ivory skin by utilizing a dark brown background and black dress. The contrast makes Madame X’s skin pop out to the viewer as if it were glowing.

Several paintings of this time show heavier women with the same ivory skin tone. In those days, to be pale and heavy was alluring. It meant that the woman stayed indoor and was well fed. The fair skin was intended to express that the woman was elevated in the society. These women went to far extents to achieve ivory skin by powdering their whole bodies.

In contrast, a tan suggested that the woman was working in the fields. However, today woman attempt to achieve the ideal tan. Instead of powdering themselves ivory, current women utilize bronzer and relaxing in the sun. The tan represents what ivory skin represented at one time: the luxury of relaxation and being well kept. Even if the tan is fake or the ivory skin is really powder, it is perceived that the woman is well rested and happy within her time.

Image: Sargent, John Singer. Madame X . 1884. Oil on canvas. Metropolitan Museum of Art, American.

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