Aphrodite Venus Lovatelli, half-nude, Archaeological Museum of Naples, Italy

Venus Lovatelli, House of Diomedes, Pompeii

Venus Lovatelli Sculpture – Marble – 1st century AD

This sculpture of Venus, known as the “Lovatelli”, was discovered in Pompeii, in the Lararium of the peristyle of the House of Diomedes.

Her himation covers only the lower half of her body.

It is held and wrapped around her left arm to form a drape that flows harmoniously around her half-naked body.

The voluminous folds of the fabric highlight Venus’s smooth skin, whilst emphasising the curves of her supporting leg.

Her left hand holds the apple that was awarded “to the fairest” in the contest in which she competed against Minerva and Giunone.

Venus Lovatelli Two holes are visible in each of her ear lobes, which proves that this statue wore earrings.

Although she is not adorned with bracelets, it is likely that she originally wore them, to match her earrings.

Her left arm rests on the statue of a bare-breasted female idol.

A snake appears to be coiled around the statue’s torso, passing beneath her left breast and winding up to her shoulder.

Another distinctive feature of this statue is its colours, which are still visible across much of its surface, indicating that it was painted.

Semi-nude Venus leaning against a pillar with an idol, House of Epidius Rufus, Pompeii

Sculpture - Marble - Second half of the 1st century

A half-naked Venus leaning against a pillar with an idol, House of Epidius Rufus, Pompeii, Archaeological Museum of Naples, Italy

Venus, half-naked This sculpture of a semi-nude Venus, whose himation covers only the lower half of her body, and which she holds in place with one hand at her hip, was discovered in the Casa di Epidio Rufo in Pompeii.

Venus is depicted here as a very young girl with youthful breasts.

Her long braided hair is wound into a crown around her head.

On the statue, one can see holes where each of her ears would have been, which means that this statue originally had earrings.

Her left arm rests on the statue of an idol placed on a small pedestal.

This small idol appears to have breasts and is therefore likely female in nature.

Aphrodite, Venus Marina, Farnese Collection

Sculpture - Marble - 2nd century AD

This is a depiction of Aphrodite of the Marine Venus type, who is accompanied by a dolphin on which she leans.

Aphrodite Venus Marine, Farnese Collection, Archaeological Museum of Naples, Italy

Aphrodite Venus Marine She is depicted as a young girl whose facial features are extremely fine and delicate.

Her long hair is partly gathered into a bun and falls in curls over her shoulders.

She wears a chiton that covers her only from the waist down, leaving her half-naked.

The dolphin on which she leans is in a protective stance, with its mouth open and teeth bared.

This Aphrodite, of the ‘Venus of the Sea’ type, is serene and exudes self-confidence.

Her hand rests on her hip, symbolising her self-assurance and power.

Aphrodite Venus Marine