Contemporary Portrait Suggesting Wealth

Juergen Teller's portrait of Vivienne Westwood at Woo Exhibition 2013
http://coloradomagazine.blogspot.co.uk/?zx=e53a04e2e840d0a0

My chosen contemporary portrait to demonstrate wealth is this image of the infamous Dame Vivienne Westwood. Although this image may not directly portray wealth as it doesn't feature any money, jewels or modern conceptions of financial gain; its connotations of wealth are heavy and the image contains numerous historical references to European Renaissance paintings that all dictated wealth through the presentation of femininity. The subject of wealth depicted within this portrait is also a factor determined by your own interpretation of wealth; most obviously there is financial wealth, however there is also the consideration of wealth being a subject of wisdom and experience, or even beauty as someone can hold a wealth of beauty within their features. 

Connotations of wealth within this portrait include most obviously the colour scheme, within the image the use of golds and red are prominent within the furniture and hair colour. Gold is reflective of  prosperity and regality therefore the highly ornate furniture that Vivienne is laid across emphasises an idea of a classic regal sense of wealth more associated with historical royalty rather than conventional Hollywood prosperity. However the use of gold within this portrait has heavier connotations that simply that of wealth, the bold shade of the hair that is directly matching of the cushion is also a homage to Vivienne Westwood's famed punk essence. The hair is famously garish in colour becoming almost neon orange, linking with the colours of the punk movement as seen on artists such as the 'Sex Pistols'. The image itself is almost resonant of their album 'God Save the Queen' which is a combination of British regality and the anger of an anarchy youth. 

The pose that Vivienne is laid in is itself a symbol of wealth when compared to that of the below portrait the 'Venus of Urbino', within Renaissance art the perfect fair skinned renaissance woman was a symbol of absolute wealth and prosperity to a man. Therefore beautiful fair skinned maidens were often painted nude and laid seductively on a bed or chair, through Vivienne Westwood's pose being reflective of this she is herself connoting her body as a symbol of wealth to anyone worthy to obtain her. However the women within these paintings were often linked to the goddess Venus and therefore unattainable due to their godly beauty, this degree of beauty is again considered the ultimate treasure for both a woman to offer and a man to receive. The pale skin, soft makeup and rouge lip within Westwood's portrait is reflective of the same concepts of godly beauty featured within these Renaissance portraits. 

'The Venus of Urbino'
Titian
1538
Oil on Canvas
http://www.italian-renaissance-art.com/Venus-of-Urbino.html