1633, Peter Paul Rubens, The Birth of Venus -- National Gallery (London)
From the museum label: Rubens's design for a silver basin depicts Venus, wringing water from her hair as she steps from a shell onto land. Shells, sea creatures and other maritime motifs enliven the oval border. Cool grey tones suggests the medium of the finished basin. The birth of Venus from the sea was a clever choice of subject, as the goddess would gradually emerge as the basin was drained.
1633, Peter Paul Rubens, The Birth of Venus -- National Gallery (London)
From the museum label: Rubens's design for a silver basin depicts Venus, wringing water from her hair as she steps from a shell onto land. Shells, sea creatures and other maritime motifs enliven the oval border. Cool grey tones suggests the medium of the finished basin. The birth of Venus from the sea was a clever choice of subject, as the goddess would gradually emerge as the basin was drained.