Peter Paul Rubens - Venus at a Mirror [1615]

Peter Paul Rubens - Venus at a Mirror [1615], a photo by Gandalf's Gallery on Flickr.

This painting shows the Roman goddess Venus with her traditionally blonde hair, but in the usual style of Rubens’ paintings showing her as a fat, rounded, but ideal figure. She is sitting with her back facing the viewer and her face only partially visible, but her face in all its glory can be viewed on the mirror held for her by her son, Cupid. The other notable human figure in the picture is that of a black servant or maid, painted in a style reminiscent of African black women slaves usually shown in harems by artists of Orientalism.

The mirror in this painting plays the role of a central character. There are many paintings that depict the subjects looking at mirrors and appreciating their beauty, as can be seen in other paintings of even Venus. While, the purpose of the mirror is to look at her own face, in this painting, the mirror is used to reflect the facial image of Venus to the viewer. As you can see, she is looking straight at you, and not at herself. Also, it is rather impossible for Cupid to hold the mirror for Venus at the angle and elevation so as to make such view possible. Logically, it is ridiculous, but very common in art, photography, and even in movies and we have become ‘psychologically’ used to it.

[Oil on canvas, 98 x 124 cm]