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Notes

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Venus is shown naked, lying back in an interior, attended by the Three Graces (Aglaia, Euphrosyne and Thalia), the daughters of Zeus. One combs her hair, another holds Venus's right foot onto her thigh and a third ties a bracelet onto Venus's arm. Cupid stands between her legs with his bow and arrow on the floor in front of them. Another putto is seen in the background leaning in through the window and plucking flowers from a vase on the shelf inside.

The artist copied from a painting by Guido Reni and studio that was perhaps once in the collection of the Duke of Mantua. Subsequently, the work was in the Royal Collection; it was sold after the execution of Charles I and was later reinstated but presented to the National Gallery, London, by William IV.

National Trust, Stourhead

Warminster

Title

The Toilet of Venus

Date

1723–1745

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 261.5 x W 205.5 cm

Accession number

732315

Acquisition method

gift from Sir Henry Hugh Arthur Hoare along with the estate, house and its contents, 1946

Work type

Painting

National Trust, Stourhead

Stourton, Warminster, Wiltshire BA12 6QD England

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Artist or maker

Jeremiah Davison

c.1695–1745

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