Bathing Venus (Venus Cesarini)

This exquisite sculpture, “Bathing Venus” (Venus Cesarini), was created after a model by Giambologna, originally conceived in Florence. The sculpture bears the Florentine hallmark in two places—on the figure itself and on the base: an oval cartouche depicting a seated lion above the letter “F” for Florence.

The sculpture was cast in 950 silver using the traditional lost-wax casting technique (cire perdue) and was subsequently finished by hand.

The total weight of the sculpture, including the base, is 2,000 grams.

Total height: 40 cm (Sculpture: 36.5 cm; Base: 3.5 cm).

The model is listed in Rosenberg’s catalogue, No. 4636.

This was evidently a bespoke work, commissioned either by a member of the high aristocracy or intended as a diplomatic gift. While bronze casts of this model survive in relatively large numbers, authentic silver examples from the eighteenth century are exceptionally rare.

The sculpture faithfully reproduces the original, now housed in the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, and is executed in the elegant Mannerist style.