Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Titian (see his “Ticianus” signature on the gold vase, lower left) uses a pyramid com-
position to balance an otherwise chaotic scene. Follow Ariadne's gaze up to the peak
of Bacchus' flowing cape, then down along the snake handler's spine to the lower-right
corner. In addition, the artist balances the picture with harmonious colors—blue sky on
the left, green trees on the right, while the two main figures stand out with loud splotches
of red.
• Head back to Room 9, (checking Rooms 12 and 10 on the way, in case the Tintoretto
painting has been moved) where you should find...
Tintoretto—
The Origin of the Milky Way
(c. 1575)
In this scene from a classical myth, the god Jupiter places his illegitimate son, baby Her-
cules, at his wife's breast. Juno says, “Wait a minute. That's not my baby!” Her milk spurts
upward, becoming the Milky Way.
Tintoretto places us right up in the clouds, among the gods, who swirl around at every
angle. Jupiter appears to be flying almost right at us. An X composition unites it all—Juno
slants one way while Jupiter tilts the other.
