These two Renaissance paintings have few things in common, and can be better understood in light of contrasting each other. However, their similarities should be pointed out as a starting point for comparison.
Similarities
Both of these paintings were done in Italy during the Renaissance, though Venus of Urbino was painted fifty-six years after Botticelli's Birth of Venus. Each of these artworks were commissioned privately. Botticelli was commissioned by the wealthy Medici, while Titian's Venus was painted for the duke of Urbino. The main focus of both of these paintings is a female nude figure.
Visual Differences
Visually these two paintings are opposites in color, style, setting and content. Botticalli has used tempera to create a mythological narrative featuring the well known story of Venus, while Titian's oil Venus is a portrait of a woman and may not even have ties to the myth since it received its title later on (Kleiner and Mamiya, p. 646).
Use of Mythology
The Renaissance humanism movement held classical antiquity in high esteem and all it entailed including the mythology. Botticalli was following this trend, while Titian's painting may have been a square peg hammered into the round hole of it's later title.
Setting and Style
Birth of Venus takes place in a fantasy setting with falling blossoms and patterned waves. Indeed the whole piece is governed more by pattern than observation. The lines in Zephyrus's hair, the sculptured shell, and the pattern on Pomona's dress all depend on patterning rather than realistic replication.
In contrast, Titian has created a realistic bedchamber setting in which to place his figure, obviously painting through observation. Realistic crumpled sheets and folds in the curtain show us his attention to detail. Indeed, Titian has used many of the Renaissance developed scientific methods of producing realistic proportions and perspective including use of foreground and background, linear perspective, the division of space into progressively smaller units, and a realistic voluminous figure (Kleiner and Mamiya, p. 646).
His colors are sharp and strong with authentic use of light and shading, including his trademark of conveying light through color. This contrasts sharply with Botticelli'suse of pale unnatural colors, lighting and shading.
Although there is a horizon line in the painting, it still feels flat with all the action taking place on one plane. Titianuses color as a way to organize his painting (Kleiner and Mamiya, p. 646) and achieve a more realistic composition, whereas Botticelli's use of color seems more symbolic or routine.
Purpose
Each of these paintings serves a different purpose. Birth of Venus is a lyrical narrative, based on a poem by Angelo Poliziano. (Kleiner and Mamiya, p. 595) Rather than show a realistic scene, it was painted as a beautiful story meant to fuel our imaginations and emotions. The Medici, may have had other intentions when purchasing this painting however. “The artist's use of an ancient Venus statue of Venus pudica...as a model could have drawn the charge of paganism and infidelity.” (Kleiner and Mamiya, p. 596) However, because of the Medici's power and influence there were no charges made. This painting could be a symbol or demonstration of the Medici's strength.
Venus of Urbino was simply a portrait created for a rich patron's collection and perhaps the portrait had special meaning for him. As a piece of the Renaissance, it demonstrates the era's achievements and values in art.
Although both created in the Renaissance, each of these paintings has unique qualities and style. The Birth of Venus emulates classical styles with mythological themes, however this also reflects the Renaissance humanism movement and preoccupation with antiquity. Venus of Urbino contains the new innovations of perspective and scientific methods of the time.
Sources
Kleiner, Fred, and Christin Mamiya. Gardner's Art Through The Ages, 12th ed.California: Wadsworth, 2005.
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