Venus Blindfolding Cupid

There have been several different interpretations of who the three female figures in this work are, and what they mean. At one point, it was identified as the Three Graces, but later the main figure was identified as Venus, blindfolding her son Cupid [1]. The other two female figures are likely nymphs, though some scholars identify the woman with the bow as another goddess, Diana. The two Cupids are likely Venus’s two sons, Eros and Anteros, who represent two contrasting sides of love [2]. Eros would be the Cupid being blindfolded by Venus [1], representing the blind and sensual part of love, while his brother represents the rational part [2]. The commissioner for this work is unknown, but in the context of this work Venus was likely used as a representation of love in marriage and chastity, so it may have been commissioned in celebration of a marriage.  

Though this work shows a mythical scene, the figures wear clothing more similar to the fashions of the time it was painted [2]. The colors used are still very rich, but much less bright than some of Titian’s other works. The predominate color is red, both in the sky in the background and the clothing of the two female figures beside Venus. Venus wears a bit of blue, drawing focus to her, and there is a bit of blue seen in the mountains of the background as well. Overall however, the darkness of the painting alongside the more somber and serious gazes of the figures create a sense of sadness and tension in the work, though the subject itself is not necessarily so. This is a different style than many of Titian’s other mythological paintings, such as Bacchus and Ariadne, but is similar to his other works from this time period. In many ways however, this work is similar to Titian’s other paintings, especially in his depictions of the female figure and the impressive sense of movement of each figure.

[1] “Venus Blindfolding Cupid: Famous Artwork by Titian.” Galerie Borghèse, February 1, 2020. https://borghese.gallery/collection/paintings/venus-blindfolding-cupid.html.

Titian

“Venus Blindfolding Cupid: Famous Artwork by Titian.” Galerie Borghèse, February 1, 2020. https://borghese.gallery/collection/paintings/venus-blindfolding-cupid.html.

Peter Humfrey, “Italian 16th Century, Titian, Anonymous Artist, Titian/Venus Blindfolding Cupid/c. 1566/1570 or c. 1576/1580,” Italian Paintings of the Sixteenth Century, NGA Online Editions, https://purl.org/nga/collection/artobject/41594

“Venus Blindfolding Cupid.” Titian, Paintings, Quotes, and Biography. Accessed November 17, 2020. https://www.titian.org/venus-blindfolding-cupid.jsp.

Titian. c. 1565. Venus Blindfolding Cupid. painting. Place: Galleria Borghese. https://library.artstor.org/asset/SCALA_ARCHIVES_1039779964.

Unknown commissioner 

Titian. c. 1565. Venus Blindfolding Cupid. painting. Place: Galleria Borghese. https://library.artstor.org/asset/SCALA_ARCHIVES_1039779964.

c. 1565

Jacey Curd

2006, SCALA, Florence / ART RESOURCE, N.Y.

Oil on Canvas, 116 x 184 cm

Oil on Canvas, Painting

Galleria Borghese, Rome, Italy