Reclining Nude Case Study

Venus of Urbino  (1538)

Tiziano Vecellio

oil on canvas

Giorgione’s goddess Venus reclining nude on a bed

Venus of Urbino

man-made setting

[ Renaissance Villa ]

Removed from her natural surroundings

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rejecting classical myths and traditional goddess depictions

Venus of Urbino

gaze

Although Venus is awake and aware of the viewer, there is no suggestion of self-consciousness or erotic intent

Venus of Urbino

earrings & bracelet

[ adornments ]

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emphasise her femininity

Venus of Urbino

posture

Venus’s passive nature and inviting posture, combined with her lavish surroundings, expose how it is meant to create and contribute sensuality to women’s figures in art

Venus of Urbino

two servants

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noble status

Venus of Urbino

lap dog

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carnal desire, sensuality

Venus of Urbino

soft, glowing skin, a well-rounded figure, small breasts, a strong neck, and a delicate head

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sensual Renaissance beauty

Venus of Urbino

rose

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pleasure, fidelity in love

Venus of Urbino

myrtle in a pot on the window seal

constancy in marriage,

Olympia (1863)

Édouard Manet

oil on canvas

Portrait (Futago) (1989)

Yasumasa Morimura

gelatin silver print

LYING WOMEN (2016)

Deborah Kelly

animated collage