£34,400.00
incl. VAT plus Shipping Costs
Delivery time: 6 months. Free delivery in England, Scotland & Wales (except islands)
USA deliveryclick here
The Venus Italica is a marble sculpture commissioned by Napoléon Bonaparte and created by the Italian sculptor Antonio Canova. Canova completed the original work in 1802 and modelled two further versions, which he finished in 1819.
The work was intended as a replacement for the Venus de Medici, the Roman marble copy of an ancient work by Cleomenes of Athens, which had been confiscated in 1802 on Bonaparte’s orders, taken to France and installed in Paris. After Napoleon’s abdication, the Venus de Medici was returned to Italy in 1815 and has been on display in the Venus Room of the Galleria Palatina in the Palazzo Pitti in Florence ever since.
Canova’s Venus Italica is considered one of the most subtle and complex creations of this great sculptor. Canova refused to copy the stolen Venus and instead gave “his” Venus his typical neoclassical style.
“When I saw this divine work by Canova”, wrote the poet Ugo Foscolo in 1811, “I sighed with a thousand wishes, for truly, if the Medici Venus is a beautiful goddess, this is a beautiful woman”.
Due to this popularity, numerous replicas were made. It is interesting to note that Canova did not copy directly from the ancient figure, but made a clay model from which plaster casts were made, which he in turn considered to be the original work of art.
The sculpture is produced as a bronze cast using the traditional lost wax technique. The basis for the replica, which you can buy in our online shop, is a plaster cast of the original in Florence.
In addition to the classic bronze casting, we also offer two other moulds for the Venus Italica statue shown here. You can purchase these as marble casts made from powdered genuine white marble and commission us to have the statue re-cast by sculptors from a single block of white marble. If you are interested in such a mould, please do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to receiving your e-mail or phone call.
We are pleased to offer two exceptional patination options for bronze statues, each rooted in historical authenticity. The first is the classical patina, which beautifully captures the natural weathering of bronze over centuries. This finish has been the preferred choice among connoisseurs ever since the rediscovery of monumental bronzes from antiquity.
However, recent scientific research—most notably a 2022 study of a major ancient bronze, the renowned Charioteer of Delphi—has provided compelling evidence that such works were originally polished in antiquity. These statues likely exhibited a warm, golden lustre, the result of bronze alloys with approximately 10% tin content and meticulous surface treatment.
In light of these findings, we now offer the option of a meticulously reconstructed, polished surface that closely approximates the statues’ supposed original appearance. This allows you to choose between the time-honoured aged patina or a radiant finish evocative of how these masterpieces may once have appeared to visitors at sanctuaries such as Delphi, Olympia, or Delos. Click here for further detailed information regarding this patination process.
Each statue cast by us is engraved in the base with a serial number, date of manufacture and our company logo. The base is also engraved with your name, a lettering, the occasion of production, your own company logo or additional engraving as required.
Our life-size cast bronze replicas are therefore not only artistic replicas, but also timeless reminders that will preserve your legacy for generations to come. By engraving your name, the date and the occasion on the base, this statue becomes an everlasting symbol of your most personal life achievement, your significance in this world and your work there.
Ancient Greek bronze statues and their masterfully crafted Roman marble replicas were the sensual and visual mirror of these two advanced civilisations for over a millennium. After their rediscovery during the Renaissance, these statues once again became world-famous and symbolised the emergence of modernity.
In keeping with the ancient traditions of Delphi and Rome, the statue made for you and with your name as the donor will forever be a reminder of your personality and achievements.
In exceptionally designed gardens and parks, alongside high horticultural artistry and exceptionally beautiful design, the use of top-notch furnishings often shines. Whether it’s furniture or statues and sculptures. Now original antique statues are not or very rarely available for sale. Since their rediscovery in the Renaissance, costly replicas have such been made for castles, their parks, and concurrently for the mansions of the bourgeoisie who have attained great wealth. During this time, a canon for the placement and positioning of these artworks formed and developed into modern times. In our online shop, you’ll find an overview of particularly beautiful locations for ancient statues. Additionally, we provide you with an overview of some publicly accessible gardens and parks, each boasting an impressive collection of ancient sculptures, along with specific details on where each statue can be seen.
Item No. | S34 |
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Material | Bronze cast |
dimension (height x width x depth) | 173 cm x 48,5 cm x 52 cm |
What you receive | Single piece, Bronze cast. The exact design details, measurements and weight as well as the structure and colour of the Bronze cast may vary. |
Delivery | Delivered using our own van |
Delivery Charge | Free delivery in England and Wales (except islands) and to a few EU countries. Click here for details. |
Price incl. VAT | £34,400.00 |