This short story is an entry in the 2003 Soc.Sexuality.Spanking Summer Short Story Contest and is copyright by the author and commercial use is prohibited without permission. Personal/private copies are permitted only if complete including the copyright notice. The author would appreciate your comments
Category: Adult
The painting discussed is reproduced at many place; here are three:
www.uffizi.firenze.it/XLimage/xlimage2.php?image=A1437.imgf
gallery.euroweb.hu/html/t/tiziano/mytholo1/u_venus.html
www.abcgallery.com/T/titian/titian82.html
Venus of Urbino – Revisited
By
"Welcome to Room 28. This room, of course, is dominated by two of Titian's greatest works, Flora and the incomparable Venus of Urbino, which is also occasionally called Venus with a Little Dog. Since time is limited, we are going to ignore Flora, and concentrate on Venus, which was completed in 1538.
"However much scholarship has been wasted on writings about its allegorical nature depicting the purity of marital love, it is quite clear from the composition, that the piece was intended as nothing more than cover artwork for a lesbian illuminated text. Note initially, that there are three people in the picture, or a triad. Noting that all three are women, it is only a minor step from triad to tribade. Venus herself, of course, is nothing more than a heartless, little bitch. Despite her angelic looks, her baser nature is revealed by the dog curled at her feet.
"Now, please focus on the two maids in the upper right corner. Some of the less astute commentaries that you'll find in overpriced guide books suggest that the two maids are rummaging whimsically in the open chest. These guides miss the blatant message that was patently clear to the consumer in Titian's day. The maid on the floor is, indeed, rummaging in the chest. But note her position, kneeling, bent forward with her buttocks prominently displayed for Venus's viewing pleasure. The standing maid is rolling up her sleeve, preparing for a lengthy workout with whichever flail or rod the kneeling maid selects from the chest. Venus meanwhile has her left hand at the ready, waiting for the show to begin.
"Time is short. Please stay together as we move to Room 29."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Sir, you are the curator, and it is still your call. I know tour bookings are up 87% since she started, but I still think you need to review her resume."
The End
© Copyright BCC, 16 June 2003
Reviews
Pam <PamiMac(at)aol(dot)com>
I had to read this twice. The first time I read it I enjoyed it but the second time, after viewing the sites the author used to inspire him, I enjoyed the story even more. It was well written and not at all a typical spanking story which delighted me. I got art history and spanking and good writing all rolled up in one. What fun.
Wild Thing <entirely_real(at)yahoo(dot)com>
Clever satiric idea, executed in a way that feels accurate and made me laugh in the right places. I would rate it even higher if the writing were not technically flawed.
There are many errors of grammar and punctuation.
«This room of course is dominated....» Try: "This room, of course, is dominated...."
«However much scholarship has been wasted on writings about its allegorical nature depicting the purity of marital love, it is quite clear from the composition, that the piece was intended as nothing more than cover artwork for a lesbian illuminated text.»
Correct use of a complex sentence structure and a five-syllable word...but followed by another incorrectly placed comma after composition. And I assume illuminated (which means lit up) should be illustrated.
I could go on. Yes, these are relatively small things, but they are pervasive, and interfere with the flow of the story. Someone looking to be recognized as a writer can fairly be expected to do better.
An excellent example of why everyone needs an editor (definitely including me). I could have improved this piece dramatically with about ten minutes of editing.
Pablo <pablo(dot)stubbs(at)newsguy(dot)com>
A terrific example of story as strip cartoon, the punchline landing squarely in the final frame. The skewed commentary fits the painting wonderfully, and the tone of the narration is just right.
The only problem I can see here is that there's not enough! I'm left wanting much more of this character -- she sounds like material for a series, in which great works of art are enthusiastically yet earnestly perverted.
This is a fine and scholarly work, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.