Titian. Venus of Urbino. 1534. Oil on canvas. 119 cm × 165 cm (47 in × 65 in). Located in Uffizi, Florence.
One of Titian’s greatest masterpieces, Venus of Urbino depicts Venus, the goddess of love, sex, and beauty, as a sensual figure gazing into the viewer’s eyes. Commissioned by the Duke of Urbino Guidobaldo II Della Rovere, this work served as a present to his betrothed, displaying how she would be expected to behave in their marriage. The painting itself represents the allegory of marriage, with the dog curled at Venus’s feet a symbol of fidelity and the woman and child in the background as a symbol of motherhood.
Venus herself reclines on a dark red cushion covered in a bright white sheet. Her pale body is encircled by a halo of white, representing her purity and perfection. Her gaze is piercing while her face remains soft, creating a sultry, lustful look that captivates the viewer. She lays back, her neck and shoulders relaxed submissively, prominently exposing her naked figure. Though her legs are crossed, her hand rests on her genitals as an overt cue to the viewer that she is a sexually mature woman, even insinuating that she is masturbating, scholars argue. In this work, Titian has created the quintessential renaissance woman, one of beauty, purity, and fidelity on display for all to see.
Sources:
“Venus of Urbino by Titian at Uffizi Gallery Florence.” Visit Uffizi, www.visituffizi.org/artworks/venus-of-urbino-by-titian/.
“Venus of Urbino by Titian: Artworks: Uffizi Galleries.” By Titian | Artworks | Uffizi Galleries, www.uffizi.it/en/artworks/venus-urbino-titian.