Presented by Louis Markos, professor in English, scholar in residence,
and Robert H. Ray Chair in Humanities, Houston Baptist University;
author of "From Achilles to Christ: Why Christians Should Read the Pagan
Classics" and "Eye of the Beholder: How to See the World Like a Romantic Poet."

Titian, the great Venetian painter, created a series of six large, erotic paintings for King Philip II of Spain between 1551 and 1562. They were called poesie, or poems, because they were meant to elicit an emotional response. All were based upon mythic stories in Ovid's Metamorphoses. The cycle of six comprises Venus and Adonis and Danaë (both now in the Prado, Madrid); Diana and Actaeon and Diana and Callisto (both now on view at the MFAH); Perseus and Andromeda (Wallace Collection, London); and The Rape of Europa (Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston).

Tonight, Louis Markos explores the archetypal and etiological power of myths and their ability to embody visually perennial questions and ideals, and then retell dramatically the stories that underlie Titian's paintings. As impressive as the paintings are technically, their power to move the viewer lies in the poignancy with which Titian revived and incarnated the tragic themes of Ovid's epic.  

This event is open to the public, and admission is free. A reception follows.
Register for great giveaways from Houston Public Radio and the MFAH.

Artful Thursdays receive funding from the Rockwell Fund. Promotional support provided
by KUHF 88.7 FM & KUHA 91.7 FM,   Houston Public Radio  . Refreshments provided by
the Buffalo Speedway Starbucks (Buffalo Speedway @ Westpark), Carla Everett, manager;
and the Rice Village Starbucks, Jenna Ortiz, manager.