The Exposure of Luxury is a painting that was designed as a puzzle, and incorporates symbols, and objects through mythological ideals

The Exposure of Luxury is a painting that was designed as a puzzle, and incorporates symbols, and objects through mythological ideals. Cupid fondles his Mother Venus which is the focus of our attention, while Folly intently clenches a handful of roses to shower their foolish pleasure. Time, appears in the upper right corner as he draws back the curtain to reveal their incestuous play, unaware that their love is of a destructive nature. Other less prominent figures in the painting include, Envy and Inconstancy. At Venus’ feet, lie the masks, symbolizing deceit, which was a favored symbolic device of the Mannerists. Interestingly the symbolic meaning of the painting suggests that “love- accompanied by envy and plagued by inconstancy is foolish and that lovers will discover its folly in time.”

The Exposure of Luxury was painted in 1540 but not exhibited until 1546. This painting now belongs to the collection of The National Gallery in London. Stylistically this painting is evident of an influence from Michelangelo’s style, and this technique of painting in the stylized manner can be shown throughout painting in the High Renaissance.

The Exposure of Luxury is a work measuring approximately 5’ 1” x 4’ 8¾” and is an oil painting on wood.

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