Birth of Venus. Mid-18th century (?). Oil

According to classical mythology, Venus, the goddess of love and beauty, was born of sea foam on the Island of Cythera in the Mediterranean. The gentle and benign west wind Zephyrus guided her to the Cyprus shore on a seashell.
In the painting, Venus is escorted by joyful sea gods, one of whom has already fallen in love with the beauty and is kissing her toes. The feelings of love that accompany Venus and reach to the sky are symbolised by the rapidly flying amoretti.

François Boucher (1703–1770) was a French painter who worked in Paris. He was the rector of the local art academy and one of the principal representatives of the French Rococo.