Her son Cupid fans her with richly colored peacock feathers as she drifts to sleep.

In the background, there is a window looking out onto a moonlight landscape where a temple to the goddess lies.

[2] The body movements are natural: Venus's hand rests lightly on her side, her legs are gently laid together.

The depiction of a slumbering and vulnerable female, in contrast to her earlier works, is thought to indicate her willingness to adapt her style to the demands of patrons.

[5] It was later acquired by the Adolph D. and Wilkins C. Williams Foundation who gifted it to the museum.