Danaë
Dublin Core
Title
Description
The painting Danaë, by Titian, was made in 1544 and is located in the Capodimonte Museum in Naples, Italy. The painting was made for Cardinal Alessandro Farnese’s bedroom and is representative of his own mistress. The painting was made for the Cardinal during a visit by Titian to Rome, and it represents both his highly respected side as a distinguished patron along with his womanizer personality [1].
The painting is in fact a mythical interpretation of Ovid’s Metamorphoses text by Titian, much like his other work later in his life. In addition, this is once again a very specific, “love” commission similar to other paintings from the artist, such as Bacchus and Ariadne which had a very particular meaning for Alfonso d’Este. The story of Danaë is quite complex. It involves very detailed parts which Titian is able to perfectly depict. In the image, we can clearly see the main subject Danaë as she lays under a shower of gold. This shower is representative of Zeus and Jupiter, as he disguises himself into Danaë’s locked chamber in order to impregnate her and give her a son in Perseus [2].
The painting not only shows Titian’s ability to adapt stories into visual depictions, but also his talent of manipulating colors and shades. The composition is made up of a carefully calculated Danaë, as she is positioned in a relaxed manner on her bed. She is dressed in white representing her purity and the scene looks to be getting light from an outside source, which mainly highlights the woman, and creates a shadow in the middle of the painting. The gold is also now made more vivid through these shadows which highlights the symbolism of Zeus and shows Danaë’s openness to the situation. This strategy is key to making the woman the center of attention for Titian’s patron Farnese [3]. There is also a baby cupid that lays near her feet, which of course represents love and, in this case, it has done its job as Zeus has made his way into the room.
As can be seen, Danaë shows Titian’s ability to control color and utilize symbols to transform a mythological story into a visual representation. He is able to conform to his patron, Farnese, while also displaying his artistic skills with his creative freedom.
[1] “Titian's Danaë,” National Gallery of Art (June 19, 2014)
[2] Jeanne Morgan Zarucchi, "The Gentileschi "Danaë": A Narrative of Rape," Woman's Art Journal 19, no. 2 (1998): 13-16.
[3] “Danae, 1545 by Titian,” Titian.org (2020)
Creator
Source
“Danae, 1545 by Titian.” Titian.org. Accessed November 4, 2020. https://www.titian.org/danae.jsp.
“Titian's Danaë .” National Gallery of Art, June 19, 2014. https://www.nga.gov/press/exh/3951.html.
Zarucchi, Jeanne Morgan. "The Gentileschi "Danaë": A Narrative of Rape." Woman's Art Journal 19, no. 2 (1998): 13-16. Accessed November 4, 2020. doi:10.2307/1358400.
Image Source: Titian. 1544. Danaë. painting. Place: Museo e gallerie nazionali di Capodimonte. https://library.artstor.org/asset/SCALA_ARCHIVES_10310197960.