Venus, AD 1-200, Roman, marble; Royal Academy.
‘A heavy cloak has slipped from the goddess of love’s shoulders and clings precariously to her hips. Some people think that this sculpture was inspired by statues of Aphrodite by the renowned Athenian sculptor Praxiteles, who worked during the 4th century BC. It is more likely to be a Roman creation blending old and new styles.
The statue was discovered by the painter and dealer Gavin Hamilton in 1775 in an ancient bath building at Ostia near Rome. In the 18th century buyers of ancient statues preferred complete sculptures, so missing parts, sometimes carved by famous sculptors were added. On this statue the arms were restored.’