Art Funded by you

Venus Attired by the Graces

Anne Killigrew, 17th century

Anne Killigrew lived in Falmouth and was highly praised as both a poet and an artist during her lifetime. Her early death from smallpox at the age of 25 was much maligned and John Dryden dedicated a poem in memory of her. In fact, Dryden appears to directly refer to this work in his poem talking of ‘nymphs of brightest form’ and ‘shaggy satyrs’. This work is one of only three works known to still exist by Killigrew. Besides the classical narrative portrayed within it, the work has a rich and rather surprising history all of its own. Recent restoration work carried out on the painting uncovered traces of amendments made to it in the 19th century. It seems that Venus’s exposed back was a trifle too much for the painting’s Victorian owners to bear, and so they had her concealed – painted over – with a gold dress. Happily she has now been disrobed.

More information

Title of artwork, date

Venus Attired by the Graces, 17th century

Date supported

2012

Medium and material

Oil on canvas

Dimensions

112 x 95 cm

Grant

15000

Total cost

55000

Content note: This object record is part of our archive and has not been updated since it was first published. It may contain inaccurate information or outdated language. Please get in touch if you think this record should be amended.

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