Question

The painting Olympia by Edouard Manet is similar to the painting Venus of Urbino by Titian. Discuss the similarities and the differences between the two pieces, and also explain why Manet's portrayal received strong criticism.

Answer 1

Answer:

Similarities:

exact same composition/arrangement with a woman reclined on a bed

same number of pillows

same sheet structure

screen in back

drape coming down the corner

maid servant in the background

Differences:

Titian's Venus is curvaceous, very softly rounded, and molded while Manet's Olympia  is very angular and flattened.

Titian's Venus is looking up at the viewer which gives a submissive attitude while Manet's Olympia is looking down at the viewer with an almost cold indifference which suggests power rather than submission.

Titian's Venus has a sleeping puppy which is a sign of fidelity and faithfulness while Manet's Olympia has a black cat with an arched back which is a sign of aggression, tension, and unease.

Manet's portrayal received strong criticism because he was very bold using a famous artist's work and essentially poking irreverence at it or towards it to make a statement about new conventions and traditions in art.

Explanation:

Answer 2

In both paintings the woman is staring at the viewers and the difference in both is that each painting has a hidden meaning different from the other.Manet's portrayal received strong critiscism because the posture of the woman is a bit rigid and he looks at the audience straight up and the painting also had brushtokes.