-
1 of 253523 objects
The Toilet of Venus c.1575
Woven silk and wool tapestry | 353.0 x 281.0 cm (whole object) | RCIN 28120

-
One panel from a series of Brussels tapestries, 'The Planets', depicting Venus with one foot in a pool, a rose in her hand and regarding herself in mirror, with a maid washing her foot. Both are seated in front of a trellis of foliage. Beyond, a lakeside landscape with figures, perhaps including Neptune, and sea creatures. On the left a bearded figure, half female, with bird on head, transforms into a tree. Border of fruit, flowers and satyrs. One of four tapestries from the same set in the Royal Collection. Another weaving from the same cartoons, with similar borders and bearing the same weaver's mark (so far unidentified), is at Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire, where there are five panels, one a narrower replica of the 'Mars and Venus' panel. The tapestries are believed to be those listed in the 1601 Inventory, in the Pearl Bedchamber.
Provenance
First recorded in the Royal Collection c.1860 when sent by the Prince Consort from Hampton Court to the Palace of Holyroodhouse to hang in the private apartments. They were hung on the Great Stair after 1918.
-
Creator(s)
(nationality) -
Medium and techniques
Woven silk and wool tapestry
Measurements
353.0 x 281.0 cm (whole object)
Category
Object type(s)
Alternative title(s)
The Planets