The Toilet of Venus Francesco Albani (Bologna 1578 – 1660), workshop of

The Toilet of Venus
Francesco Albani (Bologna 1578 – 1660), workshop of
oil painting on canvas
62 x 76 cm. – framed 70 x 84 cm. (period frame)

The proposed painting, depicting the Toilet of Venus, can be attributed to a master active in the 17th century and trained on the stylistic and compositional examples of Francesco Albani from Bologna.

His training took place initially in the Bolognese workshop of the Flemish artist Denijs Calvaert and subsequently in the Accademia dei Carracci, giving the painter the opportunity to contribute to the diffusion of Bolognese classicism, providing an interpretation which, in the last part of his career, it sounded more idyllic and compliant with the most intimate tastes of the clients. It is for this reason, in fact, that the most intense and productive aspect of Albani's workshop is to be found in the mythological paintings, rather than in those with a religious theme.

The composition in question draws inspiration from various works with a similar subject created by Francesco Albani: among these, naturally, the 'Toilet of Venus' and 'Venus in the forge of Vulcan', preserved in the Borghese Gallery in Rome, forming part of a cycle of four tondos, each associated with a season, or even the 'Toilet of Venus' from the Prado Museum (Madrid).
The classicism of the seventeenth century proposed idealized, ethereal and idyllic works of art, which were inspired by the great Renaissance masters such as Raphael and Titian and often dealt with themes taken from the ancient repertoire and classical mythology.

In our composition, the goddess Venus, sitting semi-naked three-quarters to the left, with a twist of the bust is turned to look at a winged putto behind her. The Three Graces are portrayed next to her, one of them is choosing the jewels to propose to her, another is styling her hair while one of her without seeing a cupid is fluttering above the scene.

Finally, the scene, set in a lush garden enriched by gushing fountains with sculptures and classical architecture with high colonnades, is dotted with a myriad of winged Cupids and playful cupids who animate the scene in a disorderly way, one tries on the jewels intended for Venus, two others intent on playing with a mirror, another with a cloth seems unable to free himself.

The painting is in very good conservation conditions. The work is accompanied by an antique frame, in good condition.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The painting is sold accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and descriptive iconographic card.
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