The Toilet of Venus, 1723-45 (after Reni)

The Toilet of Venus by Jeremiah Davison (Scotland c.1695 – London 1745), 1723-45, after the painting by Guido Reni and studio, circa 1620 - 25, perhaps once in the collection of the Duke of Mantua, subsequently in the Royal Collection and now in the National Gallery, London. Venus is shown sitting lying back in an interior, on the right, moreorless naked apart from blue drapery around her left arm and pink drapery around her thighs. She is attended by the Three Graces: Aglaia, Euphrosyne and Thalia, daughters of Zeus. One is standing behind on the right her combing her hair. Another sits on the left holding Venus's right foot onto her thigh. The third stands at her right, in the centre, tying a bracelet onto Venus's arm. A cupid stands between her legs with his bow and arrow on the floor in front of them. Another cupid is seen in the background on the other side of a window and plucking flowers from a vase on the shelf inside. Stourhead, Wiltshire (Accredited Museum)