Temporary exhibition: Titian’s Vision of Women in the Venetian 16th Century
February 23 - June 5 2022
A new exhibition recently opened in Milan inside the former Royal Palace, the residence of the Habsburgs family in the 17’s.
The marvelous works of art by the most important Renaissance painters like Titian, Veronese, Tintoretto are a focus on the situation and daily life of women in the area around Venice.
On March 8, a significant day for women’s rights, I had my first opportunity to guide a women’s group. It was a deep dive into the fashion experience of the 1500’s in the rich city of Venice. The city used to be the gateway between the eastern world and Europe, resulting in some of the best handcrafts available on the market - producing precious and rare textiles for beautiful clothing and incredible jewels. Venetian women knew very well how to wear them seducing the entire known world of the 1500’s. The works by Veronese give you the impression that you may reach out and touch the velvet and brocades of the clothing on display.
The gracious “belle veneziane”, painted by Titian, depicts strong women with the courage to write books about their status and feelings. Urania, published in 1558, is on display here and is the first printed book written by a lady. The printing press invented by the German Johannes Gutenberg started the Printing Revolution in Europe and Venice was one the capital of the newly discovered press. Reading the stories of these incredible brave women, such as “the honest courtesan” by Veronica Franco bring to our attention the historical point of the lack of opportunities for women in a dominantly male ruled society.
Also on display are an additional sixteen works by the great painter Titian, from the early years until his death at close to 80 years old. His painted beauty and sensuality enchanted European kings and sovereigns and created the myth of Venice, which was an irreplaceable stop even two hundred years later, with the Grand Tour, the one-year- journey made by the European high society during the 1700’s and 1800’s, to complete the education of the younger generation.
A visit to this exhibition is a full immersion in beauty and elegance. For expert art lovers it is the best way to gain deep knowledge into the tonal painting, but for others, it’s simply an occasion to enjoy the view of amazing high quality old master’s paintings.
Looking forward to meeting you in Milan
Your private guide
Fedra