Venus of Urbino, after Titian c. 19th century

Curator: Here we have the Pichler family's "Venus of Urbino, after Titian," a minuscule wax relief housed at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It’s a fascinating miniature—so pale and smooth it seems almost ethereal. Curator: Indeed. This work takes Titian's famous female nude, recasting it within a history of reproduction, miniaturization, and commodification. What statements does this make about ownership and access? Editor: Good point! And I find it interesting to consider the labor involved. How long did it take to render Titian’s rich colors and textures into a wax medium? Wax is also a luxury item; who had access to it and the means of production? Curator: Exactly! The materiality speaks volumes. Furthermore, recasting Venus in wax is not a simple reproduction; it changes the work's meaning and power. It is an appropriation. Editor: Ultimately, this miniature version transforms our understanding of the original. Curator: Precisely. It makes me wonder what new layers this adds to the discourse surrounding gender and class.