tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512858685634922680.post701274657988260814..comments2023-08-25T08:48:01.101-04:00Comments on The Pagan Sphinx: The Friday Evening Nudes - I'm Your VenusAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17296223961815248113noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512858685634922680.post-37825748879773243542010-02-21T14:14:51.020-05:002010-02-21T14:14:51.020-05:00Steve: the comment you made about the Cranach Ven...Steve: the comment you made about the Cranach Venus reminded me of a song by Suzanne Vega, which I'll now have to post. This is the painting that was banned by the authorities in London when it was proposed as a poster on the London underground. I don't remember if it actually ever made it to the public and then was banned or if it never was put up due to censorship. Maybe she looks too dangerous! ;-)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17296223961815248113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512858685634922680.post-53382642183593600302010-02-21T14:12:12.849-05:002010-02-21T14:12:12.849-05:00I mean The Birth of Venus by Botticelli - the one ...I mean The Birth of Venus by Botticelli - the one with the clam shell.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17296223961815248113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512858685634922680.post-28297409328384434352010-02-21T14:10:29.961-05:002010-02-21T14:10:29.961-05:00The Willendorf Venus is one of my favorites, too. ...The Willendorf Venus is one of my favorites, too. The womb, yes, as Steve pointed out.<br /><br />And did I forget Botticelli? Sugar! That is one of my favorites. I guess I must have taken her for granted. ;-)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17296223961815248113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512858685634922680.post-63019180123212520332010-02-21T04:42:23.835-05:002010-02-21T04:42:23.835-05:00Venus is wonderful, but I do love Gerome, riding t...Venus is wonderful, but I do love Gerome, riding the wave.imachttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14533409255215440113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512858685634922680.post-64746580207621961882010-02-20T16:23:14.097-05:002010-02-20T16:23:14.097-05:00So many glorious venuses. I love the Willendorf Ve...So many glorious venuses. I love the Willendorf Venus.jams o donnellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17315325008175184363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512858685634922680.post-76839072265311385692010-02-20T14:54:56.907-05:002010-02-20T14:54:56.907-05:00What a beautiful idea for the Friday Evening nudes...What a beautiful idea for the Friday Evening nudes. I've always been especially fond of the Botticelli and some of the others were new to me. Steve's comments were enjoyable as always.susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16747450215034568033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512858685634922680.post-18465696967680608572010-02-20T08:53:33.387-05:002010-02-20T08:53:33.387-05:00I love that first Birth of Venus. I used to be bui...I love that first Birth of Venus. I used to be built like that, but now I'm looking more and more line the stone statue (without the knitted cap! LOL)kenjuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07342414519714356343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512858685634922680.post-91128428195740218262010-02-19T23:37:38.951-05:002010-02-19T23:37:38.951-05:00well, hands down, the top one! ;) she has always h...well, hands down, the top one! ;) she has always had a special little place in my heart...your blog is looking really good, dear gina, and you sure didn't need any of my help! I am wondering how you did the thing at the top or if that is the pages thingy...i will have to check that , i am about ready to move all my sidebar down below too, it's getting so cluttered no matter what i do...i like my big photos too much! <br />have a good weekend!<br />xoxoxoL'Adelaidehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10725322054223364858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2512858685634922680.post-83251480356475309032010-02-19T22:08:35.147-05:002010-02-19T22:08:35.147-05:00I found it fascinating that, more than with any ot...I found it fascinating that, more than with any other Friday set of yours that I recall, these figures all draw the eye to the abdomen. Beautiful, fruitful shapes, soft yet young and new. The promise of the ultimate womb, the center of birth and beginnings. The promise of Venus. The purpose proposed by anthropologists for the carving from Willendorf...<br /><br />This seemed like the perfect subject for the Academy painters of the late 1800s (Gerome, Bouguereau). I can't recall where it is - here in NC or in the museum in Richmond, I think - a nearly lifesize painting of a young woman, nude to the waist, in profile, seated, leaning forward and holding Cupid at arm's length. She has a determined, youthful face, and a serious capable smile. She's not falling just yet. It's also French, painted in the Academy style, and it stops me in my tracks every time I see it because it's so perfectly balanced, and the figure is so perfectly beautiful and completely unaware of it. Perhaps this is what is so appealing about the Birth of Venus, as a theme. She's still unaware of her perfect charms - still innocent. <br /><br />The reclining Venuses in this set seem less innocent, deliberately alluring, even (Titian - borrowed much of his figure from Giorgione?). And Cranach's Venus seems dangerous. A woman who could toss the entire Greek and Trojan world into a maelstrom to reward a young man after a favorable judgement, and who then would ultimately be unable to defend him from the consequences. And never mind whole nations of innocent bystanders...<br /><br />Lovely set.Steve Emeryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08628329561652344403noreply@blogger.com