Venus of Urbino

The oil on canvas painting was commissioned for Guidobaldo II, who was designated one year later as the duke of Urbino [1]. Contrary to the description provided by the title, the primary subject matter of the image is a representation of an Italian woman in her bedchamber [1]. The work was intended to be a piece for Guidobaldo’s private enjoyment, a symbol of female beauty, and the qualities he looked for in a spouse [1].

The driving theme of the painting is its sexual nature and seductive tones. The woman is framed front and center, resting legs crossed on a bed with a set of white sheets underneath her nude body and pillows supporting her upper body. The whiteness of the sheets produces a monolithic effect, accentuating her skin and its luminous quality. Directly underneath the sheets is a crimson red bed cushion [2]. The red coloring of the furniture signals an association with passion, desire, and love, standard emotive connections with the color [2]. She is lying in a relaxed position with her gaze directed towards the viewer. It appears the woman could be looking at her lover, who had just entered the room, awaiting his arrival in a flirtatious manner. Her left-hand rests over her pubic region, designating the pelvic area as the focus of the image. Titian employs this positioning from ancient Greek and Roman sculptures of Venus, where she is similarly represented [2]. However, Titian’s illustration is much more erotic. Under these circumstances, the image intends to please the viewer with an ideal depiction of the female body.

Also included in the work are various other smaller symbols that relate further meaning. The sleeping dog on the bed is possibly symbolizing marital fidelity [3]. In the background, two maids are at the service of the woman, one searching in the chest and the other holding a luxurious ceremonial gown over her shoulder [3]. The maids represent the woman's high esteem and prestige and how her needs were carefully attended to as a member of a wealthy household.

[1] Helen Gardner and Fred S. Kleiner, Gardner's Art Through the Ages: The Western Perspective (Boston, MA: Wadsworth/Cengage Learning, 2010), 488.
[2] James R. Jewitt, “Titian, Venus of Urbino,” Smarthistory, August 2020, https://smarthistory.org/titian-venus-of-urbino/.
[3] “Venus of Urbino by Titian,” Uffizi, The Uffizi Gallery, Accessed November 3, 2020, https://www.uffizi.it/en/artworks/venus-urbino-titian.

Gardner, Helen, and Fred S. Kleiner. Gardner's Art Through the Ages: The Western Perspective. Boston, MA: Wadsworth/Cengage Learning, 2010.

Jewitt, James R. “Titian, Venus of Urbino.” Smarthistory, August 2020. https://smarthistory.org/titian-venus-of-urbino/.

“Venus of Urbino by Titian.” Uffizi. The Uffizi Gallery. Accessed November 3, 2020. https://www.uffizi.it/en/artworks/venus-urbino-titian.

Image Source: Titian. 1538. Venus of Urbino. painting. Place: Galleria degli Uffizi. https://library.artstor.org/asset/SCALA_ARCHIVES_1031314662.