Henrietta Rae (1859-1928) - Venus Enthroned (1902), vintage colour plate

Rae's painting depicts the goddess Venus, her expression contemplative, sitting naked upon a throne lined with red velvet and supported by golden sphinxes. The throne stands upon a circular marble dais with trees behind and a lake and mountains in the distance. Pink flower petals are strewn upon the dais. A number of white doves are standing or proceeding to land upon the dais, or at a small bird table close to the throne.