Celebrated for his elegant portrayals of maidens and goddesses, Pradier has here created a charming variant on the Bathing Venus. This model entitled La Toilette is a rare work by the artist. Pradier executed the marble original before 1844, now known only through a photograph from the album of Salvator Marchi. However, it is recorded that it was cast both in plaster and bronze, the latter by the founder Duplan et Salles.
The traditional figure of Venus, has been transformed by Pradier, a master of the genre, into a voluptuous maiden caught at her bath in the manner of Susanna. Her hair is arranged in a fashionable style and adorned by a rose, this feature skilfully brought into evidence by the sharp turn of her head. The drapery hangs softly over one leg, thus enabling the viewer to appreciate her curvacious forms. This fine bronze cast with its delicate patination fully highlights the gentle modelling and graceful pose of a rare composition by Pradier.