Venus in Front of the Mirror

The subject of a young, naked woman with a mirror goes back to the pictorial tradition of the Venetian masters around 1500. The mirror motif allows various different interpretations: in connection with Venus it functions as an allegory of the visual faculty and of "prudential" or "providential", prudent foresight or wisdom deriving from self-reflection. As a counterweight to Cupid, a dark-skinned serving maid has been added on the right, her austere features providing a foil to the sensual appearance of Venus. Venus's reflection, revealing the beauty of her face to the viewer becomes a symbol... Mehr ...