Venus

A golden apple, held discreetly in the woman’s hand, identifies her as Venus, goddess of love. According to Greek mythology, Venus received the apple as a prize in a famous beauty contest, where the judge, Paris, chose her as the most beautiful female goddess, causing the anger of the other two candidates (Juno and Minerva). The artist depicts Venus as an idealized and alluring female in half-length, her hand suggestively touching her naked breast.