A short informative video from Smart History about Titian's Venus of Urbino 1538
Italian
artist, Titian, lived from 1488-90 until his death from the plague in
1576. He dominated painting in Venice and eventually Europe from 1518
on (Goffen, 3). Titian painted many subjects throughout his life, but
perhaps the most influential on the art world is his painting the
Venus of Urbino from 1538.
Titian
Venus of Urbino 1538
Titian's
painting is based off of Giorgione's Sleeping Venus from
1510.
Giorgione Sleeping Venus 1510
Titian
is actually attributed to painting the landscape and sky in Sleeping
Venus. The Venus of
Urbino began the art historical
tradition of the reclining nude.
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Ingres Grand Odalisque 1814
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Manet Olympia 1863
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Amedeo Modigliani Reclining Nude 1917
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The Venus of
Urbino was novel in its time. Mainly because the nude figure
gazes out at the viewer, unabashedly. The historical nude figure in
art was accustom to averting his or her gaze so that one could freely
stare without any consequences. But Titian denies the viewer this
custom and has the Venus meet
our stare.
The
main purpose of Rona Goffen's article seems to be of debating the
erotic nature of the painting. I agree that taking a 21st
century context of pornographic imagery and ideas of eroticism will
not ideally navigate the true history of the piece, but it is hard
for me to alter my baseline. The Venus is
indeed sensual and is absolutely about the male gaze and misogynistic
in nature. Misogyny was rampant in the 1500's and is even prevalent
today. However, I do agree that the Venus does
not seem unintelligent, in fact, she alludes to that idea that she
knows exactly what she is doing or up to. I believe this added notion
of intelligence comes from her long gaze into the viewer.
Before,
the traditional nude was about the beauty of mankind and that mankind
is made in God's image. In Titian's Venus of Urbino
that tradition is broken, instead of an unreachable depiction of
mankind this depiction invites us, with her stare, into the painting
and invites us to gently look upon her.
I
like best what Goffen says about masterpieces in art “the
definition of a
masterpiece is precisely that is is inexhaustible, always revealing
new aspects of itself” (18). This painting can truly keep being
interpreted throughout the centuries. Something that can be said is
that Titian's Venus
of Urbino catapulted
us into the age of the reclining nude and it is something that is
still explored and still controversial today in art. With the
flourish of women artists in the 20th
century, a lot of attention was brought to how women were depicted
and represented in art. There is a long history in artwork of women
as objects and women as represented for men to look upon (the male
gaze), and it is my attitude that despite the Venus
of Urbino's
intelligent eyes she is still obviously objectified.
I find your personal approach here, that is, getting beyond Goffen's text, refreshing. I am beginning to wonder whether "smarthistory" has covered every damn painting in history. But I must beseech you: Never NEVER again use the inelegant phrase "this is based OFF OF something Things are based ON something. Or they are not. And that goes for the rest of you. Please!
ReplyDeleteThat definitely makes sense, thanks Harvey!
ReplyDeleteInteresting comment, Harvey. I will be sure not to use "based off". Anyways, even though Venus of Urbino can be seen as erotic and sensual inviting the view to come into her space, Manet's Olympia (obviously influence by Venus of Urbino), the woman is shown in complete control. Olympia decides whether the viewer can come into her space.
ReplyDelete