Titian The Dog Artist

I swear, when I first saw this Titian “Danae” on Tyler Green’s endlessly engaging Modern Art Notes blog, I thought is was an “old master” with a Photoshopped dog plastered onto it.

I have seen numerous Titians in art history class and in Italy, and I have no recollection of his dogs. Perhaps I was simply not perceptually ready, since I didn’t own a dog yet. Perhaps I just wasn’t paying attention, since some further research shows Titian included them often (possibly to symbolize fidelity or lust.)

Here is a lovely tribute to Lila, a dog whose owners believe was a descendant of Titian’s Venus of Urbino’s pup. (pictured below)

I concur…

To read more about Titian, his dogs, and his Spanish “Danae” (pictured below) read Yogchick’s excellent post on the subject at orange5000.