£34,400.00
incl. VAT plus Shipping Costs
Delivery time: 6 months. Free delivery in England, Scotland & Wales (except islands)
USA delivery click here
The Venus Italica is a marble sculpture commissioned by Napoléon Bonaparte and created by the Italian sculptor Antonio Canova. Canova completed the original work in 1802 and modelled two further versions, which he finished in 1819.
The work was intended as a replacement for the Venus de Medici, the Roman marble copy of an ancient work by Cleomenes of Athens, which had been confiscated in 1802 on Bonaparte’s orders, taken to France and installed in the Louvre. After Napoleon’s abdication, the Venus de Medici was returned to Italy in 1815 and has been on display in the Venus Room of the Galleria Palatina in the Palazzo Pitti in Florence ever since.
Canova’s Venus Italica is considered one of the most subtle and complex creations of this great sculptor. Canova refused to copy the stolen Venus and instead gave “his” Venus his typical neoclassical style.
“When I saw this divine work by Canova”, wrote the poet Ugo Foscolo in 1811, “I sighed with a thousand wishes, for truly, if the Medici Venus is a beautiful goddess, this is a beautiful woman”.
Due to this popularity, numerous replicas were made. It is interesting to note that Canova did not copy directly from the ancient figure, but made a clay model from which plaster casts were made, which he in turn considered to be the original work of art.
The sculpture is produced as a bronze cast using the traditional lost wax technique. The basis for the replica, which you can buy in our online shop, is a plaster cast of the original in Florence.
In addition to the classic bronze casting, we also offer two other moulds for the Venus Italica statue shown here. You can purchase these as marble casts made from powdered genuine white marble and commission us to have the statue re-cast by sculptors from a single block of white marble. If you are interested in such a mould, please do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to receiving your e-mail or phone call.
We offer two exceptional patina options for bronze statues. The first is the classical patina, which beautifully captures the natural weathered appearance of bronze. Since the rediscovery of ancient life-sized bronzes, this patina has become the preferred choice and is available in up to three popular variations.
For enthusiasts seeking an authentic, antique aesthetic, we present a groundbreaking innovation: a faithfully recreated surface finish that matches precisely what the ancient audience would have admired. Thanks to the spectacular research findings published by the Louvre Museum in late 2022, we are now able to replicate the surface of ancient life-sized bronzes with remarkable accuracy. The multi-year study of the Charioteer of Delphi, conducted using cutting-edge technology, revealed that the statue, aside from minor details such as the eyes, headband, and belt, once displayed a high-gloss, golden sheen reminiscent of subtly shimmering gold leaf. It is therefore highly likely that renowned ancient sites, such as Delphi, Olympia, and Delos, presented themselves to ancient visitors with bronze statues gleaming in golden splendour.
This effect was achieved through the use of bronze with a 10% tin content. Armed with this scientifically substantiated knowledge, we can now offer an authentically recreated, antique surface for our reproductions of ancient life-sized bronzes – a level of precision that was unattainable prior to these 2022 research advancements.
Each statue cast by us is engraved in the base with a serial number, date of manufacture and our company logo. The base is also engraved with your name, a lettering, the occasion of production, your own company logo or additional engraving as required.
Our life-size cast bronze replicas are therefore not only artistic replicas, but also timeless reminders that will preserve your legacy for generations to come. By engraving your name, the date and the occasion on the base, this statue becomes an everlasting symbol of your most personal life achievement, your significance in this world and your work there.
Ancient Greek bronze statues and their masterfully crafted Roman marble replicas were the sensual and visual mirror of these two advanced civilisations for over a millennium. After their rediscovery during the Renaissance, these statues once again became world-famous and symbolised the emergence of modernity.
In keeping with the ancient traditions of Delphi and Rome, the statue made for you and with your name as the donor will forever be a reminder of your personality and achievements.
In exceptionally designed gardens and parks, alongside high horticultural artistry and exceptionally beautiful design, the use of top-notch furnishings often shines. Whether it’s furniture or statues and sculptures. Now original antique statues are not or very rarely available for sale. Since their rediscovery in the Renaissance, costly replicas have such been made for castles, their parks, and concurrently for the mansions of the bourgeoisie who have attained great wealth. During this time, a canon for the placement and positioning of these artworks formed and developed into modern times. In our online shop, you’ll find an overview of particularly beautiful locations for ancient statues. Additionally, we provide you with an overview of some publicly accessible gardens and parks, each boasting an impressive collection of ancient sculptures, along with specific details on where each statue can be seen.
Item No. | S34 |
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Material | Bronze cast |
dimension (height x width x depth) | 173 cm x 48,5 cm x 52 cm |
What you receive | Single piece, Bronze cast. The exact design details, measurements and weight as well as the structure and colour of the Bronze cast may vary. |
Delivery | Delivered using our own van |
Delivery Charge | Free delivery in England and Wales (except islands) and to a few EU countries. Click here for details. |
Price incl. VAT | £34,400.00 |