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Period: Jan 1, 1400 to
SHE IS MY MUSE
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Jan 1, 1480
Primavera.
In the center of this painting, Sandro Botticelli placed a nymph who is depicting Venus, goddess of Love. To the humanists of this time, Venus represented the highest morality (Sayre). -
Jan 1, 1503
Mona Lisa.
Leonardo da Vinci used techniques such as sfumato ("smokiness"), and glazing (building up color with layers of transparent oil paint) to create this masterpiece (Sayre). -
Jan 1, 1505
Small Cowper Madonna.
Raphael created this painting of the Virgin and Child using precise lines, rich color, and simple arrangements (Sayre). -
Jan 1, 1509
Tempest.
In this Giorgione, x-rays revealed that there was originally a women stepping into the pool where the soldier stands. This suggests that he did not draw his designs before painting them (Sayre). -
Jan 1, 1514
Sacred and Profane Love.
In this painting by Titian, the nude woman is holding a lamp, thought to symbolize Venus or sacred love; the other woman is holding a bouquet symbolizing fertility or profane love (Sayre). -
Jan 1, 1530
Jupiter and Io.
This mannerist painting by Correggio, displays its style through the position and clarity of Io's body, and the contrast of the dark blurred form of Jupiter (Sayre). -
Jan 1, 1535
The Madonna with the Long Neck.
This painting by Parmigianino is over seven feet high. The proportions of the people seem off, as well as their dimensional positions (Sayre). -
Jan 1, 1538
La Bella (Women in a Blue Dress).
La Bella could be the same woman Titian paints in Venus of Urbino; it is possible she was Titian's version of a perfect woman. She is in at least two other Titian paintings (Sayre). -
Jan 1, 1538
Reclining Nude (Venus of Urbino).
Painted for Duke Guidobaldo della Rovere of Urbino, by Titian, this "Venus" displays the renaissance woman's sexual status; she is readily available and comfortable with her nudity (Sayre). -
Jan 1, 1559
The Rape of Europa.
In this Titian, the loose brush work demonstrates the sensuality of the scene (Sayre). -
Jan 1, 1575
The Darnley Portrait of Elizabeth I.
In this portriat of Elizabeth I by Federigo Zuccaro, she appears focused and firm, but beautiful; adorned with pearls, a bejeweled dress, and her crown beside her. -
Judith and Maidservant with Head of Holofernes.
Artemisia Gentileschi paints herself as Judith multiple times, suggesting her self-transformation through her paintings. Judith was considered a symbol of courage (Sayre). -
Las Meninas (The Maids of Honor).
Diego Velazquez's painting of Infanta Margarita still inspires artists today; it's complexity is due to the competing focal points (Sayre). -
Woman with a Pearl Necklace.
Johannes Vermeer's painting of this young women seems to have no symbolism of morality issues, she is like a blank slate, waiting for her story to blossom (Sayre). -
The Toilet of Venus.
This Francois Boucher, is a portayal of a scene from a production in which Madame de Pompadour was the star (Sayre). -
The Swing.
Jean-Honore Fragonard painted the baron de Saint-Julien and his mistress with full erotic intent. The lady's shoe flying, exposing her naked foot was considered a symbol of lost virginity at the time (Sayre). -
Marie-Antoinette en chemise.
Upon submitting this painting to the Salon, Marie-Louise-Elisabeth Vigee-Lebrun was asked to remove it due to the gown the queen is wearing. Chemise was considered lingerie to the French (Sayre).
