Borghese Gallery's Titian X-rayed
April 26 2021
Picture: radiocolonna.it
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The Galleria Borghese's Venus Blindfolding Cupid by Titian has undergone an interesting conservation project in recent months.
Indeed, recent x-rays of the painting have revealed more details concerning the additional figure that Titian decided to paint out of the scene. The pentimento suggests that the painter had initially included Euphrosyne (good cheer and joy) within the composition. Therefore, it is likely that the other two figures would have originally represented Aglaea (splendour) and Thalia (prosperity) to complete the set of 'Three Graces'. The painting received its current title in 1870, when it was suggested by the art historian Giovanni Battista Cavalcaselle.
The work will be exhibited in Mantua later this year for their set of exhibitions on Venus.
