I think other more scholarly NG videos with Letizia Treves are far more interesting - because she really is a fascinating art historian. It's not immediately obvious to me that there is a point in looking at a 17th century painting with a view to finding it insufficiently woke and out of sync with today's attitudes and perceptions.

What a BEAUTIFUL painting by a VERY talented artist! The drape of the fabric.....I can feel it in my hands... the heavy curtains against the textured wall....such a wonderful play of textures and colors....the cupid and the nude so well purportioned, the texture of the skin, their beauty flawlessly portrayed....the mirror creating an enigma to never be resolved.... Venus and one of her cupids seen through the eyes of the artist a long, long, time ago. A painting to make a young man's heart race, and an old man smile. A painting as timeless as the game between man an maid itself. Its not a political statement of any kind. You're missing out on what is a truly fine work of art by looking at it through your dark colored glasses, seeing ugliness and prejudice when there is none intended, missing out on the beauty and joy right in front of your face. Yes, the issues are real and need to be dealt with, but don't forget to enjoy the good things that are right in front of you. If you turn everything into ugliness, it will rot your soul, and ugliness is all you will ever see for the rest of your life. Take time out to enjoy the beauty so your soul will always be fed with joy and life, then go back to the battle of equality where prejudice still abounds, fully refreshed and ready to roll.

Thank you for this wonderful video. It's a really shame what happened to the artwork recently.

I'm here at National galery in front of the painting while watching the video

@nationalgallery

5 ай бұрын

We hope you enjoyed your visit!

Perhaps it would be better to try and view the painting through the eyes of the people who commissioned and painted it, rather than imposing modern viewpoints and sneering at our ancestors. But then I'm sure that our descendents will sneer at us as well.

@steveg8322

3 жыл бұрын

Big time sneer,oh yeah.

Venus without clothes on fascinating

my favorite series from this channel by far

I love everybody's takes on this artwork!

Any info on how repairs were done and who did them?

I'd love to watch this painting

BEAUTIFUL

The character might something meaning behind the mirror on the girl who see the shadow, the rope from the child to follow command by his wings... Because other nation in different deep felt life of woman or man can see anywhere..

To Funmi Fetto: Don't be ignorant. This ideal of beauty was the standard for the 17th century. As a matter of fact, it is stated in this very video that the figure itself is ahead of its time. BTW, Velázquez was well ahead of his time, tking on as an apprentice the black slave Juan de Pareja who himself became a painter of some stature. Stop looking at Renaissance art through 21st c. eyes 👀.

Woke meets 17th century European beauty.

Great presentation of different view points, allowing you to question the intentions of the artist & reflect on the effect of the painting on the viewer (i.e. questions our perception of modern 'beauty', 'race' & 'gender'). Is also highly topical in light of the recent toppling of statues (this painting was slashed in protest of the male gaze/objectifying of women, & support for the Suffragette movement).