Titian, Venus of Urbino, 1534

Mini intro

Date: 1534

Artist: Titian

Style: High Renaissance

Size: 119×165 cm

Medium: oil on canvas

Key facts (2)

Mythological painting of nude goddess Venus

Modelled upon Duke’s 10 year old wife

Form (11)

Nude

Blemish-free skin

Soft curvaceous form and round stomach

Small limbs

Rosy cheeks

Red, soft lips

Long, flowing shiny hair

large, almond shaped eyes

symmetrical features

curved eyebrows

youthful appearance as no pubic hair

Pose (7)

References Venus poudica pose slightly covering herself but draws attention to it

Feminine stereotype of sexual availability

Turned towards viewer

Lying across frontal plane so all of her is visible

Stationary and passive

Curled toes show pleasure

right arm pulled back exposes body

Setting (3)

Ruffled up white sheets indicates sexual pleasure

In a bedroom

Cassone - in right background

Clothing (2)

has jewellery (pearl earring, ring on right little finger and bracelet on left hand)

appears that she was once been clothed and has removed her clothes, sense of erotica