Venus thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Venus

Statuette
ca. 1600 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This bornze statuette is made by the workshop of Giambologna ca. 1600 in Florence.

It represents a bathing woman and was previously thought to depict the Roman goddess Venus.

Born in Flanders Giovanni Bologna (1524-1608), or short Giambologna went to Rome to study antique sculpture from about 1550 to 1553. He then travelled through Florence where he was persuaded to stay. He became sculptor to the Medici family and thus became one of the most influential sculptors of the late 16th and early 17th centuries. He drew attention to many artists from Northern Europe and disseminated his style mainly through small bronzes. He established an efficient and large workshop.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Titles
  • Venus (generic title)
  • Woman bathing (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Bronze
Brief description
Venus, bronze statuette, workshop of Giambologna, Italy (Florence), second half of 16th century
Physical description
Bronze statuette of a woman bathing.
Dimensions
  • Including pedestal height: 8in
  • Diameter: 2.875in
Object history
Previously thought to depict the Roman goddess Venus.
Production
Workshop of Giambologna
Subject depicted
Summary
This bornze statuette is made by the workshop of Giambologna ca. 1600 in Florence.

It represents a bathing woman and was previously thought to depict the Roman goddess Venus.

Born in Flanders Giovanni Bologna (1524-1608), or short Giambologna went to Rome to study antique sculpture from about 1550 to 1553. He then travelled through Florence where he was persuaded to stay. He became sculptor to the Medici family and thus became one of the most influential sculptors of the late 16th and early 17th centuries. He drew attention to many artists from Northern Europe and disseminated his style mainly through small bronzes. He established an efficient and large workshop.
Associated object
7933-1861 (Copy)
Bibliographic reference
Inventory of Art Objects Acquired in the Year 1855. In: Inventory of the Objects in the Art Division of the Museum at South Kensington, Arranged According to the Dates of their Acquisition. Vol I. London: Printed by George E. Eyre and William Spottiswoode for H.M.S.O., 1868, p. 104.
Collection
Accession number
1439-1855

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Record createdDecember 15, 2003
Record URL
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