Apply the reading on the MyArtsLab Closer Look at "Édouard Manet, Olympia," The image of Manet's "Olympia" may at first appear to be nothing more than another painting like so many using many images and symbols to depict some element of higher culture. But if one were to take the time and look at Titian's "Venus of Urbino", you would realize Manet's work is making specific reference to this painting with a strong social commentary about the morals and values of the times and the way in which poverty have taken its toll on the poor in Paris.