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The Birth of Venus, and the Gods of Olympus

Oil Painting
ca. 1700-1734 (painted)
Artist/Maker

Oil painting designed as a plan for a wall and ceiling decoration depicting the Birth of Venus and the Gods of Olympus. Numerous nude or partially draped figures are represented seated on clouds before a blue sky background.

Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleThe Birth of Venus, and the Gods of Olympus (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Oil on canvas
Brief description
Oil painting, The Birth of Venus, and the Gods of Olympus, Sir James Thornhill, British School, ca. 1700-1734.
Physical description
Oil painting designed as a plan for a wall and ceiling decoration depicting the Birth of Venus and the Gods of Olympus. Numerous nude or partially draped figures are represented seated on clouds before a blue sky background.
Dimensions
  • Canvas height: 762mm
  • Canvas width: 450mm
  • Canvas depth: 20mm
Dimensions taken from Summary catalogue of British Paintings, Victoria and Albert Museum, 1973: 30 x 17 3/4 inches
Style
Object history
Purchased in 1947.

Tate holds a related drawing by Thornhill that is almost identical in design. See object no. T08143.
Subjects depicted
Bibliographic reference
Victoria and Albert Museum, Department of Engraving, Illustration and Design & Department of Paintings, Accessions 1947, London: HMSO, 1950.
Collection
Accession number
P.1-1947

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Record createdMarch 20, 2007
Record URL
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