Taking one mythological work from each of the three major Italian cities; Venice, Florence, and Rome, Helen will explore the extraordinary secrets of Renaissance marriage. Giorgione’s Sleeping Venus, Botticelli’s Primavera and Raphael’s Galatea show the differences between each city, their attitudes towards brides, ideals of love and even bizarre anatomical beliefs. With such a focused analysis of just three works of art, the talk will uncover the politics, personalities, and sex lives of the Renaissance rich and famous. Many images contain nudity, and the talk includes the topics of conception, sexual violence, and masturbation.