Rokeby Venus 1997, the art historian Peter Cherry suggested that Velázquez sought to overcome the contemporary requirement for modesty by portraying Venus from the back. Even in the mid-18th century, an English artist who made a drawing of the Venus when it was in the collection of the Dukes of Alba noted it was "not hung up, owing to the subject". Another attitude to the issue was shown by Morritt, who wrote to Sir Walter Scott of his "fine painting of Venus' backside", which he hung above his main fireplace, so that "the ladies may avert their downcast eyes without difficulty and
Matthew Montagu, 4th Baron Rokeby 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. He was the favoured nephew of Elizabeth Robinson, known as Mrs. Montagu, under whose wish he took the name of Montagu in 1776. He changed his name and arms by