Olimpia

'Olimpia' is a paining inspired by Titian's 'Venus of Urbino' (1538), it has almost the same composition, but painter has replaced some elements. At the Venus feet lays a dog, at the Olimpia’s feet stands a black cat. In Titian’s painting at the background we can see two woman looking for clothes in a chest, in Manet’s piece we can see a woman bringing flowers to Olimpia which are certainly a gift from a gentleman. Olimpia herself was Manet’s favourite model- Victorine Meurent and she’s posing as a courtesan. At this times many of courtesans had false names, that were meant to sound exotic to the clients- that is where the title comes from. Titian’s Venus seems to be innocent but she has a flirty look in her eyes. Manet’s woman is cold, strong and proud of her way of living, she is looking right in the eyes of a viewer, and maybe that was so shocking to critics, because they called it ‘scandalizing’. Check tomorrow's piece of art to know more about Titian's Venus.