Rokeby Venus been cited as sources of inspiration for Velázquez. The nude Venuses of the Italian painters, such as Giorgione's "Sleeping Venus" (c. 1510) and Titian's "Venus of Urbino" (1538), were the main precedents. In this work, Velázquez combined two established poses for Venus: recumbent on a couch or a bed, and gazing at a mirror. She is often described as looking at herself on the mirror, although this is physically impossible since viewers can see her face reflected in their direction. This phenomenon is known as the Venus effect. In a number of ways the painting represents a pictorial departure, through
Matthew Montagu, 4th Baron Rokeby C F Greville. He married on 9 July 1785, Elizabeth (died 7 March 1817), daughter and heir of Francis Charlton of Kent, who bore him six sons and seven daughters: Matthew Montagu, 4th Baron Rokeby Matthew Montagu, 4th Baron Rokeby (23 November 1762 – Montagu House, Portman Square, 1 September 1831), FRS, 6th Bart., known as Matthew Robinson until 1776, was a British Member of Parliament, and briefly a baronet and Peer of the Realm. Montagu was born Matthew Robinson, the son of Morris Robinson of the Six Clerks' Office, Chancery Lane and nephew of Matthew Robinson, 2nd Baron Rokeby.