THE TOILET OF VENUS Francois Boucher (1703-1770)

Description of the painting "Toilet of Venus" by François Boucher

The painting depicts Venus, the goddess of love. She is completely nude, with only part of her body covered by a sheet. She looks like a doll made of porcelain--the same big, doll eyes, almost unnaturally white skin, a mischievous look toward one of the Cupids playing with her beads beside her. Her body is painted in rare and not the most natural colors. Boucher did not seek to show her as perfect, for, as he himself claims, nature is not perfect. And if she is not among humans, why should the goddess necessarily be perfect? However, she resembles the palace lady of the time.

The painting is filled with many small details. The goddess’s curls are curled, and the Cupids seem to be trying to dress her. But it is noticeable that they are much more interested in playing with her hair and jewels on the floor than in helping her get dressed. Venus on this canvas is not of modest form and her body breathes with health. She sits on the sofa with one leg stretched forward and the other pulled up to her. The sofa is heavy even in appearance and luxurious, with a voluminous gold ornament running along its back and draped in light-colored silk. A dove cooing at her feet. He ruffles his feathers and looks at the goddess without taking his eyes off her.

The second dove is nestled comfortably in Venus’ arms and does not try to get out, and it pays no attention to the cooing of the dove at the goddess’ feet. There is a large copper kettle beside the sofa. Next to it lies an empty wine jug and flowers torn from their stems. A heavy, white-and-yellow bedspread hangs from the sofa on which Venus sits.