Aphrodite      Venus Genetrix     Greek, last half of 5th century B.C.)      The Louvre, Paris

Aphrodite 24-1/2" H White Bonded Marble on Marble Base $698 (less Internet discount of $100) = $598 (freight $38)

During the marvelous Golden Age of Greece, sculpture advanced rapidly in technique and ideal. It reached a perfection that in its particular way has never been surpassed. Sculpturing chracteristics of the period are present in this Aphrodite called Venus Genetrix by the Romans. The desire was to combine naturalism with abstraction, to create an idealized human figure in a state of composure. Greek sculptors had mastered the representation of the body through an accurate knowledge of human anatomy. This mastery enabled them to represent the body with a composure which reflected the security and confidence which their achievements had given them. Cross relationships may be observed in the balance between the muscularly supported right arm holding the drape and the same kind of support in the left forearm bearing the weight of the apple. The charmingly lowered left shoulder emphasizes this relationship. Another characteristic of the fifth century B.C. is to be seen in the quality of the face and the gaze which indicated detachement from the figure's surroundings. The marvelous carving of the diaphanous garment adds grace to the statue while revealing the contours of the body. The rear view is made particularly interesting by the sweeping curves of the hand held shoulder drape in opposition to the vertical folds of the chiton. These White Bonded Carerra Marble items are imported from Italy. They are the same items that were previously available from Eleganza in Seattle.