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
Rokeby, Ontario Rokeby, Ontario Rokeby, Ontario was the Government townsite located on the mainland at Bobcaygeon, Ontario, Canada, by the Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada, Sir John Colborne. Through common usage and the establishment of a Post Office in 1838, the name Bobcaygeon came to describe the entire town. The name has effectively been lost, with the bankruptcy of Rokeby Lumber in 2002. Rokeby Park was the home of John Morritt, in County Durham, England. This was close to the confluence of the River Greta and the River Tees. This area inspired the painting 'Rokeby', by Turner, which depicts the waterfall and rocks