Venus and Two Cupids

Andrea del Brescianino was a painter active in Siena where he was documented 1507-24, thereafter back in Florence. He was a follower of Andrea del Sarto in his rendering of atmospheres. He painted the Venus around 1525, creating the illusion of a life-like figure looking into the mirror in the seashell as though about to step out of the niche, and flanked by cupids with tousled hair.

Suggested listening (streaming mp3, 4 minutes): Francesco Gasparini: The Meddlesome Cupid, aria