Welcome to Ad Hoc, our newest feature on the art of advertising. We are proud to welcome Dr. Richard Zakia as the author of this page each month. For November, Dr. Zakia continues his investigation of how advertising incorporates art.
Some years back Levolor ran a wonderful series of ads based on famous works of art. This one shows a model posed as the woman in Goya's Maja painting and with her right hand pointing to the product. It is a well-done and attractive ad that introduces more than the product.
It is known that Goya did two such paintings of the same subject. In the painting shown here resting on the floor, can you name the painting? (answer below)
1. Reclining Maja
2. The clothed Maja
3. Maja on a Recliner
Richard D. Zakia is Professor Emeritus, Rochester Institute of Technology and author/coauthor of several books on photography, perception, semiotics and advertising.
c. Corinne Whitaker 2009
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