Venus, triumphant and dignified, Archaeological Museum of Naples, Italy

Triumphant Venus, Amphitheatre of Capua

Sculpture – Marble – First half of the 2nd century

Triumphant Aphrodite, Amphitheatre of Capua, Archaeological Museum of Naples, Italy

Triumphant Aphrodite This statue of Venus, discovered in the amphitheatre at Capua, is a marble replica of an original bronze work created by Praxiteles.

It dates from the reign of Augustus or Hadrian.

Just like the famous Venus de Milo, this triumphant Venus impresses with her grace and poise.

Her lower body is draped in a sumptuous fold that evokes the aesthetic of the Hellenistic period.

One admires the graceful movement of her arms, one of which is directed downwards to address her son Eros—of whom only the two small feet remained on the plinth beside the statue— whilst the other is raised to show him something that was probably the famous golden apple bearing the inscription: “to the fairest“.

Her foot rests on Minerva’s helmet and her forehead is adorned with Giunone’s diadem.

Triumphant Aphrodite

Aphrodite, Louvre-type, Pompeii

Aphrodite, Louvre, Pompeii Sculpture - Marble - 1st century

This Aphrodite (Venus), discovered in Pompeii, is a replica of a Greek original dating from the mid-5th century BCE.

Aphrodite was the only goddess to be depicted nude.

Although she is clothed here, her nudity is clearly implied.

The goddess of love is indeed depicted wearing a transparent robe that emphasises the curves of her body, which she covers by pulling with her fingertips the light veil over her shoulder.

In her other hand, she holds a small bottle of perfume.

Louvre-type Aphrodite

Sculpture - Marble - 1st century

This other sculpture of Aphrodite, of the so-called “Louvre” type, differs from the previous one in that the goddess is here partially undressed. Her shoulder and left breast are bare, revealing their beauty.

She holds a corner of her garment in a particularly graceful manner between her fingers, whilst her left hand holds a small amphora-shaped perfume bottle. A gentle smile lights up her beautiful face.

Aphrodite Louvre

Venus, goddess of protection, Temple of Aesculapius, Pompeii

Sculpture – Terracotta – 1st century

Venus, the goddess of protection, Temple of Aesculapius, Pompeii, Archaeological Museum of Naples, Italy

Venus the Protector This imposing terracotta statue depicts the goddess Venus, charged with protecting the dictator Lucius Cornelius Sulla, who had triumphed in Pompeii in 89 BC.

She is very dignified and fully clothed.

It is clear that her role here is to protect, not to seduce.

The pleating of her garment is particularly beautiful.

The fingers of her left hand are partially curled.

One might imagine that she was holding an apple—now lost—the usual attribute of Venus.

The way her right hand rests on her hip testifies to her power.

Venus the Protector