Goffen's anthology intro

Huh. I didn’t expect to be reading about pornography when I read Goffen’s introduction to Titian’s Venus of Urbino. Of course when considering works of another time, consideration of context is absolutely necessary. No doubt the 16^th century was much more misogynistic than present day, and Catholic values much more prevalent, not mention many other significant cultural differences. Further reading of the anthology would seem to illuminate these points, and I intend to do so. Certainly the painting is of an erotic nature, and though in the tradition of the female nude I feel that Titian’s Venus of Urbino is a work of genius, groundbreaking, and considering the values of the time (Aretino’s writing for example), courageous.

The fact that the Venus returns the viewers gaze lends empowerment to woman of the period. That this message came from one so popular and well known is significant. Of course this is still a nude and beautiful woman reclining in a bedroom setting, and though I feel less than qualified to speak on issues of misogyny and woman’s issues in general (not to mention the state of them in the 16^th century), it seems an important and positive step forward in the portrayal and perception of woman as the subject in art.

The short summery of Titian’s career and patrons was entertaining and fascinating to me. Titian was favorite of Charles V, and Philip II, and I find it somewhat surreal just thinking about the privilege Titian must have enjoyed as a result. His freedom in determining the subject matter, portraiture, sacred, and secular works, of some commissions was unprecedented and the power of that freedom as pertains to Titian’s art production (in that period of history) is incredible to contemplate. Titian’s singular career and work beg further reading to more fully appreciate his impact on his time, as well as art and culture themselves through to present day.