\paperw4200 \margr0\margl0 \plain \fs20 \f1 Exhibited at the 1863 Salon, this painting proved a great success and was purchased by Napoleon III. Both in its choice of subject û a myt
hological theme û and in its style, the work belongs to the official artistic tradition in the classical mold, linked to the Ecole des Beaux-Arts. Cabanel has depicted an idealized female nude that is also charged with sensuality.