VENUS

The elegant form and rich brown patination of the present figure most likely places it amongst the bronzes created during the reign of Louis XIV (1638-1715) in France. The square base, which is enveloped by overhanging drapery at the reverse, is typical of bronzes from the late seventeenth century onwards by the likes of Sebastian Slodtz and François Girardon. The ovoid face, wide-set, narrow eyes and thin nose are characteristics seen in the work of Robert Le Lorrain (see G. Bresc-Bautier, G. Scherf and J. Draper, eds., Cast in Bronze: French Sculpture from the Renaissance to Revolution, exh. cat., Paris, 2009, pp. 424-5), and the author of the present figure must emanate from his circle.