venus of Urbino

artist

Titian

year

1538 (pre 1850)

size and material

1\.2m x 1.7m

oil on canvas

used for

* gender
* human figure

compare with

* Arnolfini (gender)
* portrait…Mexico (gender)
* augustus (gender)

depicts

a allegorical depiction of Venus of Urbino laying on a bed in a domestic setting naked

composition

* background split into 2, separates woman from outside world, green and red complements
* extravagant curtain
* window and women
* whole composition split into 4, woman takes up 3/4

Venus of Urbino

* represents marriage - eroticism, fidelity + motherhood
* looking directly at viewer = unfeminine, overly erotic
* naked elongated body, idealised = male gaze
* hair hang loose = state of undress
* ring, bracelet + necklace = objectify y only leaving superficial items on
* symmetrical face + curves = contrast angular forms behind
* rose in hand = lust and consummation

bed

* red = love, marriage and childbirth
* white sheets = purity

maids

* back right corner
* shows all women. have a subversive role

dogs

* loyalty = loyal in marriage

other items

* myrtle used for bouquets = feminine role
* cassone (wedding chest) = filled w items to bring into marriage, show her position at home
* expensive curtain fabrics = married rich
* rose in hand = lust and consummation

gender

• Venus is the goddess of marriage - sex, eroticism, fidelity + motherhood = painted for duke for his marriage to show what he expects from it

• looking directly at viewer = unfeminine, overly erotic = it inspired meet Olympia which mocked the position of the goddess

• naked elongated body, idealised = male gaze = shown at the Paris salon

• maids working = shows all women. have a subversive role - morals at the time, following tradition roles in marriage

• white sheets = purity, want women to be pure

• ring, bracelet + necklace = objectify by only leaving superficial items on, make her look beautiful and wealthy