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This masterful piece from 1796 by François Boucher, titled "Aurora and Cephalus," captures a mythological moment with an ethereal grace. Aurora, the Roman goddess of dawn, is shown in the full bloom of her beauty, her alabaster skin radiant as if touched by the first light of day. Her flowing, diaphanous garments seem almost liquid, cascading around her form in delicate folds that blend seamlessly with the soft pastel hues of the sky and clouds.

Cephalus is depicted in a state of tranquil repose, his imperfectly muscular form suggesting both youth and strength. His gaze is lifted towards Aurora, capturing a moment of tender admiration and longing. This interaction, suspended in time, epitomizes the romantic and erotic nature of Boucher’s work.

In the lower part of the painting, Boucher presents another mythological scene featuring Venus, the goddess of love, emerging from the waves. The waves themselves are surprisingly gentle, tinged with the faintest hints of blues and greens, cradling Venus as she rises. Her form is idealized and sensuous, with the play of light and shadow accentuating her curves.

The painting is lush with intricate details, from the delicate spray of the ocean to the ethereal light suffusing the sky. Boucher’s use of color is masterful—soft, sensual pastels intermingled with richer, deeper hues that provide a sense of depth and dimension.

François Boucher (1703-1770) was a preeminent French painter known for his Rococo style, characterized by elaborate ornamentation, lightness, grace, and playfulness. He was a favored painter of King Louis XV and the Marquise de Pompadour. Boucher's work is emblematic of the Rococo period’s tendency towards depicting scenes of pastoral beauty, mythology, and courtly love.

"Aurora and Cephalus, Venus on the Waves," is exemplary of François Boucher's late career works. By this time, Boucher had reached the height of his artistic skills, refining his abilities to depict the human form with sensuous elegance and his mastery of color and light. While the painting is aligned with the Rococo aesthetic of his earlier works, there's a maturity in composition and a sophistication in the interplay of mythological symbolism within this piece.

As of now, the exact location of this particular painting "Aurora and Cephalus, Venus on the Waves" remains somewhat obscure. Boucher's works are held in several prestigious institutions worldwide, such as the Louvre in Paris, the Getty Museum in Los Angeles, and the Wallace Collection in London. However, this specific painting may be part of a private collection or part of an auction house's holdings.

- Rococo Elements: The painting is quintessentially Rococo, with its emphasis on fluid lines, ornamental detail, and light, airy atmosphere.
- Mythological Themes: Boucher’s recurrent use of mythological themes reflects the Enlightenment-era fascination with classical antiquity, interpreted through a lens of romantic and sensual ideals.
- Mastery of Texture: Notice Boucher's intricate texturing of fabric and flesh; he renders not just the appearance, but the very tactile essence of materials.
- Symbolism: The interplay between celestial and marine divinities symbolizes the unity of dualities in nature—light and water, day and night, love and distance.

In sum, "Aurora and Cephalus, Venus on the Waves" is not just a testament to François Boucher's artistic genius but also a rich tapestry of mythological storytelling, wrapped in the opulent Rococo style, embodying both the aesthetics and the intellectual currents of the 18th century.