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During the second episode of Berger’s media series, Ways of Seeing, Berger talks about how women are depicted as more so objects than actual people in art. He mentions many times that the way that the artist draws the women in subservient/suggestive positions that would cater to the male audience’s desires. Although people may try to deny the idea of art being as suggestive as it is, they cannot deny that even people’s desires leak into our art. One example is the controversy of the Portrait of Madame; a painting by John Singer Sargent that was a public outcry due to the woman’s position. Her strap was falling from her shoulder, and due to this, many people were disgusted by her seemingly dishonorable pose. This forced the painter, disgraced and unable to get more people to commission his art, to move to London.

The influence of women being used for sexual interest goes far beyond the arts; it is present throughout human history. From Hollywood to even common people land, people have taken advantage of women under the guise of friendliness for centuries. One example of this is the recent media coverage of R. Kelly, An American singer and songwriter, and the allegations of sexual abuse of young women at the peak of his popularity. Under the guise of wanting to help these women, these GIRLS, R. Kelly took them from their families and held them captive. Lying to the parents, R. Kelly made it seem like he was helping these women further their own careers, while he sexually abused and fulfilled his own darkest fantasies with them.
It could be compared to how the women in art are depicted and how easily R. Kelly used his status to take these girls. Like art, R. Kelly pretended to be a savior, a creative genius that wasn’t capable of evil and was highly respected. Also like art, R. Kelly exploited these women for his own interests and denied even knowing what his charges were.

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