The Naked Venus Page #6

Art, in its final

definition is humanity.

And therefore belongs to all humanity.

We as heads of museums are aware of our

multiple responsibilities to the public.

Art, essentially, is beauty.

And as such, pure.

Never morally objectionable.

Throughout the centuries,

art has centered on woman.

From a mythological Goddess to biblical

art and down to the Madonna cult.

And if we judge Naked

Venus in that light.

Everything in connection

with its creation.

Everything instrumental in

bringing such a work about.

Must be considered morally clean.

Were you informed that Yvonne Dixon

had posed for the painting in the nude?

Not immediately, but that would have

in no way influenced my decision.

After all, Rembrandt's wife

posed for the master.

And the Duchess of Alba

was honored to sit for Goya.

In the nude.

Yvonne Dixon is an artist's model.

Posing is her function in art.

- In the nude?

- Yes, indeed. In the nude.

Thank you, Dr. Hewitt.

No further questions.

- Your witness.

- Thank you.

Doctor.

I appreciate your clarity and frankness.

Will you tell us...

Did you also know that

Yvonne Dixon was a nudist?

I object, Your Honor. The witness

testified regarding nudity in art.

Nudism never entered the matter.

We are primarily concerned with

Yvonne Dixon's practicing of nudism.

Objection overruled.

- Proceed, Counsel.

- Thank you, Your Honor.

I repeat.

Were you aware that Yvonne Dixon

belonged to a nudist organization?

And frequented nudist parks?

No. But that wouldn't have

influenced me one way or another.

I thought I made that quite clear.

Doctor, how do you feel about nudism?

I am, shall we say, a firm believer in

the constitution of the United States.

When it comes to the habits

of my fellow man. Or woman.

I know no more about nudism than anyone

interested in the world around him knows.

But I understand that nudists keep to

themselves and out of the public eye.

That their conduct,

within their parks...

Is subject to extremely strict rules.

And acceptable to our moral standards.

In brief.

The practice of nudism is anyone's

private business, more or less.

That is all.

Doctor Hewitt... are you a nudist?

Why don't you ask me if Michelangelo,

Raphael or Da Vinci were nudists?

No.

No more questions.

You may step down, Doctor Hewitt.

With Your Honor's permission

I would like to call my next witness.

Yvonne Dixon.

Raise your right hand.

Do you swear to tell the whole

truth and nothing but the truth?

- I do.

- Be seated, please.

State your name.

Yvonne Dixon.

Mrs. Dixon.

Tell us in your own words

how you met Robert Dixon.

I met Bob in Paris.

At the studio of a friend.

That was five years ago.

- Bob, you old son of a gun.

- Jim.

Ladies and gentlemen.

I give you my old pal.

Bob Dixon.

Fellow hell-raiser... and hero.

Hi, soldier.

- You're cute.

- Ah, leave him be.

Squat, fellah.

Drinks, entertainment, gorgeous girls.

Help yourself.

You would.

That's Yvonne... or gorgeous model.

Gorgeous, isn't she?

Well, that lets me out.

My... French... isn't very good.

I speak English.

Sit down... Bob.

Thank you, Yvonne.

Let's drink to something.

To... Paris.

And meeting you.

The first time you are here?

First day.

Are you going back soon?

I am supposed to. When

I muster out next week.

They expect me home.

That's in California.

My mother has got everything

all planned for me.

What I'm going to do.

Who she wants me to marry.

She even sent me a snapshot of the girl.

I bet she's nice.

Not as nice as you.

Do you know what I'd like to do?

Stay. And paint.

Learn how on my G.I. bill.

Does that sound crazy?

Would...

You help me?

I'll help you.

I married him six months later.

Were you happy?

Yes. Very much.

Mrs. Dixon.

I have to ask you something

now that's very difficult to ask.

Did your husband know

that you were a nudist?

- Yes.

- Did he object?

No.

Is this the primer of the

Sunbathing Association of America?

Yes.

Will you tell us...

Is nudism a religion?

It is not.

Nudism never has been or

means to be a form of worship.

And it does not interfere with

anybody's religious beliefs.

Are the location of nudist

parks known to the authorities?

Certainly... there is nothing

secret about them.

All parks are protected by the Police.

Just what are the nudists

trying to accomplish?

Better health, for one thing.

And complete relaxation.

And a higher moral level.

They learn to think clean.

Because nudism looks at

sex the way we look at nature.

At life itself.

Normally, and without false inhibitions.

Thank you.

No further questions.

Your witness.

No questions.

You may step down.

With Your Honor's permission, I'll call

as my next witness, Mr. Robert Dixon.

Mr. Dixon.

You just heard your wife testify

regarding your first meeting.

Do you wish to comment on that?

- Yes.

- Please do so.

That party at Jim Renault's

got pretty rough.

Most everyone had been drinking.

- Mrs. Dixon included?

- Yes.

And she got me drunk.

She tricked you into staying in Paris?

Into defying your parents' wishes?

Is that what you're trying to say?

That's about it, yes.

Then it was her idea

that you take up painting?

That was another one

of her wily schemes?

No, that was my idea. I wanted to paint.

Mr. Dixon.

I want you to face Mrs. Dixon.

Are you prepared to repeat your

allegation regarding your first meeting?

If so, do so now!

I object.

I object strongly Your Honor to the cheap

melodramatics staged by my colleague.

Objection overruled.

Tell us, Mr. Dixon.

Tell this court, under oath.

How your wife tricked

you that night in Paris.

How she got you drunk

at that wild party.

No. I can't.

Because... it isn't true.

That's all.

Your witness.

No questions.

This is our house, Sherie.

And here is our window.

Here is caviar.

Where is Daddy?

He's on a trip.

See the pretty flowerpot?

When is he coming home?

I hope soon, darling.

Now here we put myself.

You stay here and make mother

some pretty aeroplanes.

- Lynn.

- Yvonne.

- You look wonderful.

- I feel wonderful.

Yes, I married the guy.

We're on our honeymoon.

Your advice didn't do any harm.

That's nice.

I wouldn't have recognized you.

- Thank you.

- Sit down.

I doused myself with French perfume

until I smelt like a tropical jungle.

I dressed crazy and I

acted very feminine.

Nothing. It didn't work.

Then I lost my eyeglasses

and a very important lawsuit.

He remembered he was a

male and had to comfort me,

He got to like it.

But he still didn't propose, so I did.

But here I am rattling off about myself.

How are you and

little Sherie and Caviar?

Fine, thank you. We are all fine.

I saw Bob. He's really a nice guy.

- You saw him before you left California?

- No here.

Didn't you know Bob is in Paris?

- He is?

- Why, yes.

I've got a hunch he'll

be round to see you.

My hunches have been

pretty good these days.

Wait until you meet my husband.

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