Venus with an Organist c.1550-1660
Oil on canvas | 96.3 x 136.9 x 1.3 cm (support, canvas/panel/stretcher external) | RCIN 402669
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Venus lies naked on a velvet-covered couch, stroking a small dog. To the left, a young man wearing a sword turns from playing an organ to look jealously at the dog. In the background is a park with a satyr-fountain.
This is a sensitive and accurate copy of an original painting by Titian of c. 1550 that once belonged to Charles I and is now in the Prado, Madrid. Several copies were made of the picture whilst it was in England; it is possible that this is the copy by the Spanish artist Miguel de la Cruz (Michael Cross).Provenance
Possibly the copy after Titian sold from Somerset House for £7 to Walker on 12 November 1649 (no 155); listed in store at Whitehall in 1666 (no 508) as Cross after Titian
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Creator(s)
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Medium and techniques
Oil on canvas
Measurements
96.3 x 136.9 x 1.3 cm (support, canvas/panel/stretcher external)
Category
Object type(s)
Other number(s)
Alternative title(s)
Recumbent Venus