Cupid Unfastening the Girdle of Venus 1788

Joshua Reynolds painted this canvas of ‘Cupid Unfastening the Girdle of Venus’ using oil paints sometime in the late 18th century. Look closely and you'll notice the way the pigments are applied. Reynolds didn't just aim for a smooth, blended surface. Instead, he allowed the texture of the brushstrokes to remain visible, particularly in the drapery and the surrounding landscape. This painterly approach, combined with the muted color palette, gives the painting a sense of depth and movement. While the subject matter is classical, the application of paint reflects a shift in art making. Reynolds was interested in the materiality of paint itself, emphasizing its capacity to evoke atmosphere and emotion, more than precise representation. He seems to anticipate the more radical experiments of the 19th century. Ultimately, this work reminds us that even within traditional genres, artists can push the boundaries of technique and perception.