versions of “Venus and Adonis” are slightly different because they were created during different

times using the methods characteristic of that particular time period. Titian created his “Venus

and Adonis” in 1570, during the Late Renaissance. Rubens created his version in the mid to late

1630s, during the time of the Flemish Baroque style.

Titian’s “Venus and Adonis” was painted with oils on a canvas measuring 42”x52.5”. The

main figures are located in the center with supporting figures enclosing them. The supporting

figures are a dog on the right and an angel on the left. These secondary figures play the important

role of bringing the composition to the borders of the canvas. Also, Venus’s body creates a strong

diagonal stretching from the lower left of the composition to the top right.

Titian’s painting has a limited sense of depth, but does have a clearly defined foreground

and background. The precise modeling of the figures creates a strong three dimensional quality to

them. The precision of the details on the figures showcases the artist’s skill in the handling of the

is seen in Venus’ porcelain skin. There is again, a strong darkness, but this time, it lies over the

The strongest differences between the two paintings, besides their size difference, is only

didn’t quite fit those parameters. “Venus and Adonis” is one of those portraits. It fits into the

similar in content, but are also very characteristic of their particular time and style. They both

foreground and background. Most of the artist’s attention was obviously paid to foreground

Some topics in this essay:
Flemish Baroque, Madrid Titian’s, Duke Marlborough, Adonis” Rubens’, Mannerism Mannerism, II Spain, Titian’s Venus, Titian’s Rubens’, “venus adonis”, Renaissance Rubens, rubens’ version, titian’s “venus adonis”, titian’s “venus, , strong diagonal, titian’s painting, supporting figures, sadness longing, pale blue sky, dog angel, flemish baroque, painting limited, painting limited sense, “venus adonis” rubens’, limited sense depth,