I have concentrated in the Dreams of Desire series on erotic images produced by the various avant-garde movements that followed the great rupture with tradition that was Impressionism, especially the Symbolist, Expressionist and Surrealist movements. However eroticism had long been a staple of Western Art, notably in the Renaissance.
Although Titian’s painting bears the title Venus of Urbino, it is immediately evident that it represents a break from the numerous preceding pictorial versions of the Goddess of Love. This is a Venus that is shown in a domestic scene as opposed to the bucolic countryside, and she has been largely stripped of her standard allegorical and mythological accoutrements. The viewer is presented with a sensual and erotic image of a earthly woman (probably a courtesan); nothing more, nothing less.
Also startling in a painting almost 500 years old is the frankness of the steady gaze of Venus, a frankness that certainly invites comparisons with Manet’s Olympia, a painting that caused such controversy and consternation upon being first exhibited in 1865.
She is lovely! A courtesan, yes and the women in the background frantically rummaging around in the chest for something to over her with. “For God’s sake Mildred, any old thing will do.” Oh I’m quite silly this morning. 🙃
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Hmmm indeed you are. When I said it was a domestic scene without allegorical and mythological trappings, I didn’t mean that domestic.
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So sorry Mr.Cake. I’m sure they’re involved in a far more dignified activity and conversation. (Hehe)
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Serious Stuff here on Cake.
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I am appropriately chastised!
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As well as you should be.
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But really the maids are probably getting her clothes out for her. Maybe she is getting ready for her lover’s arrival? Or putting herself back together after he’s departed? It’s a gorgeous painting. And I love the Manet as well.
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It is… I think I am going to do a little mini series within the series of pre-Modern erotic work, but of course with relevance to Modernism. This painting with its undisguised eroticism was way ahead of its time, before it was all disguised pastoral fantasies.
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A great idea. I look forward to seeing what you come up with. Pastoral fantasies = less risk. More commissions.
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True but risk can stand the test of time better.
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The art yes, the painter, not necessarily! I can only imagine the pressure to stay within certain acceptable parameters. Controversy was neither marketable or without real risk
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Until it become the default position of the avant garde, epater le bourgeoisie and all that… initially bracing by the time of post-Modernism and the Young British Artists sterile controversies had become the surest way to success. But then again I am not a fan by and large of post-Modernism (though there are exceptions), so maybe I am prejudiced.
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Yes, a complete swing of the pendulum in the other direction. I like to choose individual artists not entire movements generally. The more I learn the more I find to appreciate about a bit of everything. With some definite preferences of course.
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Agree to the most part, but I am very indulgent to the Surrealists.
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oh but in the long run it is.
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We can only ever gamble on how the future will perceive our efforts.
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In the long run yes, if the artist lives to see the day!
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You are always such a pragmatist Thea, but quite right too!
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Just what I wanted to say, really, why should I repeat? Mr Cake, you just have an astonishing sense for art!
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Thank you, that is a lovely thing to say. I always wanted to be an artist but I have to content myself with words.
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And you do so remarkably well
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Thank you.
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*cover
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Still your interpretation has a level of charm.
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Thank you! I should postpone commenting until I’m fully awake and caffeinated.
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It’s fine you know I am only teasing.
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So great, the conversation of the two of you… I think sometimes its the comments that will complete the post.
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I always love receiving comments as it does indeed complete the post and indeed sometimes leads to new avenues. Thea is one of my best commentators.
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So you don’t need me, really*
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The more the merrier!
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So, anyway, Mr Cake, I’ll give it another try.
The second picture you put in, it is the way she positions her left hand, that caught my attention. It is probably for the purpose of coverage, but it has more of an salacious effect, I think. Dignified enough? Ah, I really would like to know how my English sounds for a native speaker…
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Excellent, far better than my German. Yes Olympia does seem to be more salacious than the Venus. Manet was deliberately rebelling against 19th Century prudery and hypocrisy, while the Renaissance had a slightly more tolerant outlook, within a mythological setting anyway.
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I love Renaissance art.
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So do I… it is slightly outside my area of knowledge so I don’t write about it that much but I do love it…especially Da Vinci and Durer
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Absolutely.
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You have great taste. I have featured a Caravaggio in a previous dreams of desire post- Judith. I have also done one on Durer that looks at the esoteric meaning of Melancholy. Also a post on Hand Holbein. Goya is the last of the old masters and the first of the moderns so I did a series of posts on him, but apart from that not much. Maybe I should remedy that. More reading and research (that is what I love though) I will send you the links for the posts mentioned you might find them interesting.
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I remember the Judith post, and love it. Please do send any links you have to share.
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This is on Goya, not Renaissance but an old master.
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Sandro Botticelli may be my favorite.
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I love Botticelli as well… certainly later is Caravaggio who might be my all time favourite
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I really like the Martyrdom of Saint Matthew.
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I have seen this in Rome in the church it was commissioned for… astonishing. In fact the St Matthew paintings might have been the best piece of art that I saw in Rome, which is absolutely stuffed with great art. It is a smallish enough church for Rome but inside you find the three paintings of St Matthew and it unbelievable with the lighting and everything. Caravaggio has a unique ability to make other paintings around it seem insipid and bland (the same thing happens in London and Dublin). I cannot even remember any of the other paintings in the church.
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This one includes a Caravaggio-Judith beheading Holofernes
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This is probably one of my best posts on art, personally anyway.
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You should always be careful what you say to me Kindra, I can bury people with connections and related content. Hope you enjoy!
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Hahaha!
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I had to do this pose several times as a life model, the class had to paint in one style then the other. I fell asleep and woke myself up snoring
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As I would have. Do you like the painting though Madeleine, or should I say Venus.
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Ha! Yes, I love them, beautiful
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Good, I am on an old masters kick at the moment so expect so more oldy worldly nudes shortly.
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Again, the self confidence of Venus. Stunning thoughts.
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Thank you. I am going back in time at the moment.
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Always a joy to visit you.
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Thank you.
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I say Venus is a representation of what love is and the Manet is a a representation of truth and boldness…well the impressionism movement.
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Very true, she is the embodiment of love.
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