Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
This legend has been depicted since ancient times. Symbolically, it represented how
money can buy sexual favors. In medieval times, Danae was portrayed as being as money-
hungry as the maid. But Titian clearly wants to contrast Danae and the maid. He divides the
canvas, with Danae's warm, golden body on one side and the frigid-gray old maid on the
other. Zeus rains straight down, enriching them both, and uniting the composition.
Danae
is a celebration of giving yourself to love.
• Backtrack through the Leonardo room (214), continue through rooms 215 and 216 (at
the corner), and hook right. Pass straight through room 224 to reach room 227 and an
homage to...
Raphael
Loggia:
This long, narrow hallway—more than 200 feet long, only 13 feet wide, and
decorated with colorful paintings—is a replica of one of the painter Raphael's crowning
achievements, the Vatican Loggia in Rome. (The original loggia, in the Vatican Palace,
was designed by the architect Bramante—who also authored St. Peter's Basilica in Rome;
Raphael and his assistants completed the loggia's fresco decorations in 1518-19.)
