Grand Tour Marble Bust "Venus de Milo" after Antiquity

GRAND TOUR MODEL OF VENUS DE MILO AFTER ANTIQUITY

Italian | a late 19th to early 20th century copy of the original of Antiquity | carved from a single block of Carrara marble | unsigned

ref. 503CJG12W  21" H x 15" W x 9" D Carved from a solid block of Carrara marble during the late 19th to early 20th-century, the sculpture is an interpretation of the famous Venus de Milo of antiquity, one of the most celebrated works of ancient Greek art.

The original Venus de Milo, discovered on the island of Milos in 1820, is attributed to the ancient sculptor Alexandros of Antioch. Created around 150-125 BCE, the statue is widely believed to represent Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty. Its dynamic contrapposto pose, combined with the subtle modeling of the figure, exemplifies the naturalism and expressive movement of the Hellenistic style.

This Grand Tour copyist work retains the essential qualities of the original, showcasing the idealized female form with softly rounded contours, delicately rendered facial features and elaborate hairstyle. The absence of the arms, mirroring the fragmented state of the ancient statue, is perhaps the essence of her enigmatic appeal over the centuries - a careful balance of the perfect and imperfect. These carved models after the most precious artworks of Antiquity were highly sought-after during the 19th century, a market that continued well into the early 20th century as students of art and history, collectors and also connoisseurs of the arts looked to local artists to bring home examples of the objects they studied in Italy. These served as both educational tools and decorative objects. Institutions and private collectors often commissioned works like this to celebrate the artistic achievements of antiquity.

The present example is a lovely form with a soft surface, honed from time and weather to create a matte appearance. She would likely have originally sat on a separate plinth. Condition:
Discolored marble, surface grime present; the bust can certainly be cleaned upon request, though the historical surface is attractive exactly as it is. Small chips and losses throughout. Soft overall matte honed surface from handling and weathering over time. Ready to place.