1755 (ca.), Jean-Honoré Fragonard, Venus and Cupid (Day) -- National Gallery of Ireland (Dublin)
From the museum label: Venus, goddess of love, and her son Cupid sail through the sky on a gilded chariot, pulled by turtle doves. The pastel colours enhance the sense of fantasy in this Rococo confection. It is the second of four canvases by Fragonard depicting the times of day, a favourite eighteenth-century theme. Intended as decoration over doorways, they were purchased in 1770 by Madame du Barry, official mistress of Louis XV, for her château at Louveciennes. An additional strip of sky, added to enlarge the canvas for placement in the château, can be seen at the top edge of the picture.
1755 (ca.), Jean-Honoré Fragonard, Venus and Cupid (Day) -- National Gallery of Ireland (Dublin)
From the museum label: Venus, goddess of love, and her son Cupid sail through the sky on a gilded chariot, pulled by turtle doves. The pastel colours enhance the sense of fantasy in this Rococo confection. It is the second of four canvases by Fragonard depicting the times of day, a favourite eighteenth-century theme. Intended as decoration over doorways, they were purchased in 1770 by Madame du Barry, official mistress of Louis XV, for her château at Louveciennes. An additional strip of sky, added to enlarge the canvas for placement in the château, can be seen at the top edge of the picture.