AFTER GIAMBOLOGNA, ITALIAN, 17TH CENTURY

The present bronze is based on the marble model of Venus drying herself by Giambologna that is also known as the Cesarini Venus. The prototype was commissioned from Giambologna in early 1580 by Giangiorgio II Cesarini, Marquis of Civitanova for the Villa Ludovisi, Rome. The statue still remains in the building to this day, which is now known as the Palazzo Margherita and serves as the American Embassy.

The bronze offered here is one of the numerous casts executed during the 17th century by Italian artists taking inspiration from the feminine curves and figura sepentinanta that Giambologna pioneered in the second half of the 16th century.