VENETIAN PAINTER, FOLLOWER OF TITIAN
17th century
Venus at the mirror
oil on canvas, cm. 133×109
The painting depicts Venus at her dressing table, looking in a mirror with the help of Cupid, a theme dear to Titian and become popular through the numerous versions produced with the help of his flourishing workshop. The most direct reference is to the renowned “Venus in the Mirror” (1552-1553, National Gallery of Washington), widely considered one of the most refined interpretations of the subject. The work was so successful that Titian kept it in his Venetian atelier for over twenty years as a reference model for his workshop and prestigious patrons. Numerous replicas followed, including our painting, a 17th-century version by a valid follower of Titian, who was likely active in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. While the composition is faithfully reproduced, there are some notable differences, such as the simplified landscape in the background and the absence of the putto with the crown of flowers of the original painting.
Our painting reveals a remarkable artistic quality, particularly in the soft, sensual rendering of the female nude, the luminosity of the figures, the intense expressiveness of Cupid’s gaze, and the contrast between the goddess’s diaphanous skin and the richly decorated red drape. Furthermore, particular care is discernible in the jewellery and the mirror frame.