Oil on canvas, 117cm by 170cm. Signed: JORDANVS.
This painting was purchased by John, 5th Earl of Exeter (1648-1700), and is mentioned in the 1688 Burghley Inventory: ‘My Lords Anty Roome…Naked Venus by Jordanus.’
Luca Giordano was active in his native Naples, in Rome, Florence and Venice and also spent ten years as court painter to Charles II of Spain.
He was one of the earl’s favourite artists, many of whose canvases he acquired whilst on the Grand Tour, including this one.
