The Toilet of Venus ('The Rokeby Venus')
Diego Velázquez, 1647-51
This work was acquired after the Art Fund's first campaigning triumph. The Chairman wrote to The Times inviting contributions to save the work for the nation in November 1905.
Despite a constant barrage of opposition about the subject, condition and attribution of the painting, Art Fund continued its campaign and was finally able to announce its success in January 1906. Donations ranged from large to small and evidence suggests the final balance was made by King Edward VII himself. Art Fund presented the painting to the National Gallery in March 1906.
The painting continued to ignite public opinion and was attacked by the suffragette Mary Richardson in 1914 and restored by Helmut Ruhemann. The campaign and acquisition of this work established Art Fund as a cultural force within modern Britain. The painting depicts Venus as a nude goddess reclining on a draped couch and looking at her reflection in a mirror held up by Cupid.
More information
Title of artwork, date
The Toilet of Venus ('The Rokeby Venus'), 1647-51
Date supported
1906
Medium and material
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
124.5 x 179.8 cm
Grant
45000
Total cost
45000
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