Venus and Venice—both born from the sea—have identities forever intertwined. Yet the stories of Venice often focus on male figures: doges, scholars, travelers, and seducers. But to truly understand the lagoon city, one must look at the women who saturate its art. Renaissance Venetian paintings are filled with representations of women in mythological, religious, and portraiture forms—depicting an idealized vision of beauty and virtue. Yet, beyond their surface allure lies a deeper narrative of female power, creativity, and agency that shaped the very fabric of Venetian society.

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This course offers a fresh perspective on the often-overlooked contributions of women in Venetian art, exploring how artists used the female form to construct notions of gender and society. From the serene landscape of Venice as a woman to the influential lives of figures like Queen Caterina Cornaro and courtesan Veronica Franco, we'll uncover the complexities of femininity in Venice, where women were cast as both sensual Venuses and pure Madonnas. The paradox is palpable—but we'll also reveal how some women were able to break free of these societal constraints, using their power and creativity to redefine their roles.