La Fornarina is believed to depict Raphael’s girlfriend, Margherita Luti, a baker’s daughter who had previously modeled for the artist. He carried on a years-long relationship with her while he was engaged to the daughter of a powerful Vatican cardinal. One of his most suggestive works, La Fornarina depicts a bedroom-eyed woman in a silk turban adorned with a pearl brooch. She wears a gossamer gown loosely draped over her while she gently cups her left breast ... a pose modeled on the famous 'Venus pudica' pose. ['Venus pudica' is a term used to describe a classic pose in Western art where an unclothed female (either standing or reclining) keeps one hand covering her private parts. The resultant pose is somewhat asymmetrical and often serves to draw one's eye to the very spot being hidden!]. During a 2001 restoration of the painting, X-rays revealed a large piece of jewelry on the subject’s left-hand ring finger, prompting speculation that Raphael had perhaps intended to marry Margherita despite his betrothal to another. As well, on a band of blue silk wrapped around her upper left arm, Raphael’s full name is clearly displayed in gold. |