The Renaissance Nude at the Getty

Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Titian, all Italians, are artists associated with Renaissance art, which easily conjurs the idea of nude figures whether the figure of Christ or the voluptuous Roman goddess Venus.

Lucas Cranach the Elder German, 1472–1553 Adam and Eve, about 1510 Oil and tempera on limewood Unframed: 59 x 44 cm (23 1/4 x 17 5/16 in.) Image courtesy of the Muzeum Narodowego w Warszawie Muzeum Narodowe w Warszawie

The Temptation of Adam and Eve (1519) by Lucas Cranach the Elder, the familiar scene of the couple after they have discovered shame and covered themselves with fig leaves.

Baptism of Christ (1498-1500) by Perugino is a small jewel, revealing the word of God made flesh, with Jesus wearing nothing but a loin cloth as he stands praying in the shallow water.

Jean Bourdichon French, 1457–1521 Saint Sebastian, 1503–1508 Tempera Closed: 33 x 22 x 8 cm (13 x 8 11/16 x 3 1/8 in.) Bibliothèque nationale de France

Venus Rising from the Sea (1520) portrays her standing naked in water up to the middle of her thighs and wringing her long wet hair.

Titian (Tiziano Vecellio) Italian, about 1487–1576 Venus Rising from the Sea, 1520 Oil on canvas Unframed: 75.8 x 57.6 cm (29 13/16 x 22 11/16 in.) Framed: 103 x 84.7 cm (40 9/16 x 33 3/8 in.) National Galleries of Scotland, Edinburgh Accepted in lieu of Inheritance Tax by HM Government (hybrid arrangement) and allocated to the Scottish National Gallery, with additional funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Art Fund (with a contribution from the Wolfson Foundation), and the Scottish Executive, 2003

Jean Fouquet French, born about 1415–1420, died before 1481 Madonna and Child Surrounded by Angels, 1454–1456 Oil on panel Unframed: 92 x 83.5 cm (36 1/4 x 32 7/8 in.) Courtesy of Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten Antwerpen. Image © www.lukasweb.be–Art in Flanders vzw, photo Dominique Provost

Virgin and Child (1452-1455) by Jean Fouquet. The artist depicted King Charles VII’s lover in royal splendor in the celestial realm, offering her ivory breast to the infant while surrounded by cherubim and seraphim.

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