AFTER THE ANTIQUE, ITALIAN, ROME, LATE 18TH CENTURY

The Capitoline Venus was first recorded by the antiquarian Pietro Santi Batoli in c. 1670-6, when it was believed to have been found in the gardens of the Stazi family, during the pontificate of Clement X. The antique marble was purchased by Benedict XIV in 1752 from the Stazi family and presented to the Capitoline Museum in Rome.

Standing after a bath, Venus modestly begins to cover her breasts with her right hand, and her groin with her left hand. Throughout the eighteenth century the statue gained favour at the expense of the Medici Venus, due to concern over the extensive degree of restoration to the latter.