Etty devoted his career largely to painting the nude, both in a very numerous series of life studies and in such finished classical subjects as this. He was inspired by 16th-century Venetian artists, such as Titian and Veronese, and particularly by the 17th-century Flemish master, Rubens. He was constantly criticised in the press for what was perceived as the indecency of his works. He referred to his critics as ‘noodles’.
You are all set!
Your first Culture Weekly will arrive this week.