Voting period is over. Please don't add any new votes. Voting period ends on 2 Oct 2014 at 20:14:33 (UTC)
Reason
An interesting Italian bridal portrait from the sixteenth century. According to art historian
Norbert Schneider's book The Art of the Portrait, 2002, capter. Giorgione: Portrait of a Young Lady ("Laura"): ... it is only from the prudish perspective of the nineteenth or early twentieth century that the baring of a breast would be viewed as debauched or meretricious. In the sixteenth century, nudity did not provoke disapproval, but was shown publicly and uninhibitedly. This painting, too, was publicly shown, probably by a proud noble who wished to celebrate his bride's attractiveness - ... - as well as her virtue and chastity. The laurel was considered a symbol of virtue... The veil wound about her shoulders and upper body is a bridal veil, and her bared right breast alludes to the proverbial chastity of the Amazons...[1]