Titian: Venus of Urbino

"The Venus of Urbino" Titian, Oil, 1538.

She stares at us coyly, almost teasingly. Her chestnut brown curls cascade down her bare shoulders. Her left hand grazing against her sex. "The Venus of Urbino" has been a subject of scholarly debate for a very long time. Some think she was a courtesan and others think she was the child bride of the Duke of Urbino. What was Titian's true purpose for painting this? Was it to appease the curiosity of the female nude and sexual craving of men during the Renaissance. Or was it just a piece to be marvel for its lush beauty. 

From the bundle of roses clutched in her right hand-to the sleeping dog- the symbols in "The Venus of Urbino" could possibly lead us closer to understanding the true meaning of the painting. 

Dogs have always been the symbol for fidelity and loyalty (from the Greek word Fido). A dormant dog could possibly symbolize the lack of fidelity. The red roses Venus holds could represents passion and love. Titian's painting seems to exude sexuality. 

I believe Titian's Venus is an object for the male gaze. Her sensuality is explicit. She evokes desire. She is the flawless beauty that men of the Renaissance were fascinated by and wished to possess. But who has the true power of the gaze? The viewer or Venus? 

Boticelli: Primavera

"Primavera" c.1482, Tempera on panel. Uffizi, Florence.

Sandro Boticelli's "Primavera" also known as "Allegory of Spring", possesses many mythical symbols. Taking center stage  in the orange grove is Venus the Goddess of Love, to her left is the Spring Goddess Flora, and beside her is Chloris being pursued by the wind God, Zephyr. Boticelli cleverly painted a vine with blooms at the corner of Chloris mouth to signify her transformation into Flora.  

Above Venus flies Amor and to her right are the Three Graces. The rendering of these three female figures are superbly done by Boticelli. The Graces seem to move and dance as they interlock fingers and raise their arms over their heads; their silk dresses cascade beautifully. Mercury is standing next to the Three Graces, expecting the oranges and protecting the scene of merriment. 

There are still countless theories as to what Boticelli's "Primavera" is truly about. One thing is certain...It is one of the most celebrated paintings of the Italian Renaissance. 

Giotto: Kiss of Judas

"Kiss of Judas" Fresco by Giotto, Scrovegni Chapel, Padua, Italy.

Florence was a hotbed for innovative style, the re-discovery of Roman antiquities, and the emergence of humanism. Man was measured by his knowledge and challenged to be creative. Religious art and secular art was seeing a change in the portrayal of the human figure and emotions. 

Giotto di Bondone was one of the leading artists during the beginning of the Renaissance. Here, in "Kiss of Judas", Giotto portrayed Christ and Judas in the midst of chaos and confusion. Judas seals Christ's doomed fate with the infamous kiss. Giotto was the first artist to paint a figure with its back towards the viewer. Christ's expression speaks volumes, as he knows what is to come. Giotto displayed amazing talent for the naturalistic rendering of the figures and draping of the robes. The birth of the Italian Renaissance was one of the most fascinating and exciting time in Western art. 

Gustav Klimt: Danae

She is Danae, daughter of King Acrisius, and mother of Perseus. Austrian painter Gustav Klimt captured the essence of sexual energy, eroticism, and sensuality in perfect harmony. Klimt created this oil painting in 1907.  The canvas measures at 77 x 85 and is housed in the Galerie Wurthle in Vienna.

Danae is curled in a tight composition and draped by a sumptuous purple robe, which symbolizes her royal lineage. Her face is glowing with ecstasy as she welcomes Zeus in the form of golden rain. Danae was a popular subject for artists in the early 1900's; she was used to symbolize divine love and transcendence.