The Birth of Venus – 1863
Musée d'Orsay
Musee d’Orsay
Cabanel's erotic imagery, cloaked in historicism, appealed to the propriety of the higher levels of society. The painting was purchased by Louis Napoleon for 15,000 francs. Because of the controversy over its erotic nature and the sale to Napoleon, it was the most popular painting at the Paris Salon de Refusé 1863. Ten years later a slightly smaller version was commissioned and now hangs in the Met. To see the original: http://bit.ly/2gU4shv
