The Medici Venus
The Medici Venus
White Carrara marble. The thumbs lost, the tip of the forefinger reattached. H 99 cm.
Italy, 19th C.
This statue is a replica of a Roman marble sculpture that was rediscovered in the 16th century, which in turn was probably modelled on a work by the Hellenistic sculptor Praxiteles. The life-size marble figure was owned by the Medici until it entered the collection of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence at the end of the 17th century. The statue quickly became a famous object of study for artists and sculptors and was copied many times. Beautiful to look at from all angles, the nude figure presents herself shamefacedly, hiding her breasts and pubic area with both hands; her head is turned to the side, as if surprised by an unexpected observer.
Provenance
Acquired from Kunstsalon Franke in 2000.
Literature
Cf. Boschung, Die Rezeption antiker Statuen als Diskurs. Das Beispiel der Venus Medici, in: Schade/Rößler/Schäfer (eds.), Zentren und Wirkungsräume der Antikenrezeption, Paderborn 2007, p. 165 ff.
Bid on this lot
The Medici Venus
White Carrara marble. The thumbs lost, the tip of the forefinger reattached. H 99 cm.
Italy, 19th C.
This statue is a replica of a Roman marble sculpture that was rediscovered in the 16th century, which in turn was probably modelled on a work by the Hellenistic sculptor Praxiteles. The life-size marble figure was owned by the Medici until it entered the collection of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence at the end of the 17th century. The statue quickly became a famous object of study for artists and sculptors and was copied many times. Beautiful to look at from all angles, the nude figure presents herself shamefacedly, hiding her breasts and pubic area with both hands; her head is turned to the side, as if surprised by an unexpected observer.
Provenance
Acquired from Kunstsalon Franke in 2000.
Literature
Cf. Boschung, Die Rezeption antiker Statuen als Diskurs. Das Beispiel der Venus Medici, in: Schade/Rößler/Schäfer (eds.), Zentren und Wirkungsräume der Antikenrezeption, Paderborn 2007, p. 165 ff.
