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February 23: the odd face of the Rokeby Venus
Inconsequential mysteries are sometimes intriguing. Diego Velazquez (1599-1660) was nothing if not adept at describing both features and spirit in his portraits–as here, the Infanta Maria Teresa. How then to explain the odd face of his Rokeby Venus? “Vague” is not the word for Venus’ face; Cupid’s face is only suggested, but quite in…