A Roman Marble Crouching Venus
Circa 1st Century A.D.
Height 15 3/4 inches (40 cm).
Property from a Private Collection, Chicago, Illinois

Provenance:
Galerie Simone de Monbrison, Paris, 1969 (Arts Antiques Arts Primities, no. 29); where acquired by the present owner, 23 October 1969.

This striking marble sculpture, known as the Crouching Venus, is a Roman interpretation of the famed creation by Doidalsas of Bithynia, a third-century B.C. sculptor celebrated for his depictions of Venus, the goddess of love. Originally commissioned by King Nicomedes I, the form of Venus bathing became widely admired in Rome, noted for its graceful and intimate portrayal of the goddess.

This statue captures Venus in a moment of modesty and introspection, crouching with her right knee nearly touching the ground, her head (now missing) turned to the right. She is depicted nude, her form leaning forward with arms crossed in front of her, despite the absence of her head, arms, and feet. Pliny the Elder praises such artistic endeavors in his Natural History, noting the ability of art to capture the viewer's admiration and provoke contemplation, which can be aptly applied to this piece: "Indeed, what is there that does not invite our learning and our gaze in these subjects, our wonder and our praise?"

The pose, suggesting vulnerability, highlights the sculptural ability to convey deep emotional and aesthetic resonance from the early Roman empire. Even in its incomplete state, the sculpture profoundly communicates the timeless themes of divine femininity and human beauty.

Height with stand 18 1/2 inches (46.99 cm).