Venus of the Grotticella
Artist
Jean de Boulogne (Giambologna)
(Flemish, 1529 – 1608)
Maker
Fonderia Chiurazzi
(Italian, founded 1870)
Dateearly 20th century
CultureItalian
MediumBronze
ClassificationSculpture
Credit LineBequest of John Ringling, 1936
Object numberSN5462
Flemish-born sculptor Jean de Boulogne (Giambologna) executed this statue of a bathing Venus for the <i>grotticella</i> (little grotto) of the Boboli gardens in Florence, where his <i>Oceanus Fountain</i> also stands. Venus, the Roman goddess of love, was among the more popular mythological subjects for Italian Renaissance artists, especially Giambologna, who found inspiration in ancient statues of the goddess, often shown covering her breasts or in a crouching position.
On View
On viewLocation
Dimensions56 x 19 x 27 in. (142.2 x 48.3 x 68.6 cm)- Museum of Art, Courtyard
