Titian
painted the Venus of Urbino in 1538 for the Duke Urbino Guidobaldo II Della
Rovere. Venus, the Roman goddess of
love, is depicted as a nude, sensual woman, which was not how women were normally
painted at the time; Titian is only able to paint her this way because she
represents a Roman goddess, not an Italian woman. In her hand are roses, and on the window ledge
a myrtle plant; both are symbols associated with Venus, and represent the love
Venus is offering her: a kind of passion in marriage. In the background, maids can be seen gathered
around an open cassone, or marriage chest.
The painting was actually
commissioned by the Duke as a gift to his wife and serves as an allegory of
marriage. The eroticism in the painting symbolizes
the marital obligations the wife would have to fulfill with her spouse. The sleeping dog at Venus’s feet is a symbol
of marital fidelity. The older maid
looking down at the young girl going through the cassone represents motherhood,
another expected duty of a wife.
Sources:
Great image of the cassone, and link to class (I had not focussed on that before)! I always wonder about this "gift" and what it means . . .
ReplyDeleteInteresting image. Thanks for the explanation on the allegory of marriage!
ReplyDeleteI think that this painting is very revealing of the culture of Italy at the time as it is allowed under the technicality that it is a Roman goddess which allowed the artist to get around the normal restrictions of modesty for women.
ReplyDeleteI think that this painting is very revealing of the culture of Italy at the time as it is allowed under the technicality that it is a Roman goddess which allowed the artist to get around the normal restrictions of modesty for women.
ReplyDeleteYour discussion of the allegory of marriage was very interesting and intriguing. Great post!
ReplyDeleteMaybe discuss a little more on other symbols in the painting such as the dog at the end of the bed or the child with the toy chest and etc. Great painting and great description!
ReplyDelete