XVII CENTURY MANUFACTURE

Bathing Venus. Inspired by a Giambologna design.

Coated lead. 33,5 x 8 x 9 cm with base; 23 x 8 x 9 cm without

This bronze statuette was inspired by one of Giambologna’s earlier works. The original piece, signed by the maestro, is preserved at Wien’s Kunsthistorisches Museum, and its size is very much alike our piece.

This design was very popular for centuries, and there are many different editions of it produced by Antonio Susini, as well as minor versions populating the cabinets of many private collections.

Our specimen is made of coated lead with traces of gilding. Here, the cloth hanging on the Venus’ breasts is dropping to her knee, a detail which is missing in the original.

Since lower-quality material like lead was used, and not bronze, this might be an earlier draft made as a template for a subsequent bronze casting. This is unproven, however.

The item’s material suggests a XVII-XVIII century dating.

The neoclassical-style base (made of mixed marble, wood and gilded bronze) is a testimony of the interest towards the statue with the ages.