19th Century Grand Tour Neo-Classical Nude Bronze Statuettes, 1800s, Set of 2

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A pair of bronze statuettes depicting the Venus de Milo and the Diana of Gabii, France, second half of the … Read more A pair of bronze statuettes depicting the Venus de Milo and the Diana of Gabii, France, second half of the 19th century. The two statuettes, with a medallion patina, stand on their original bases, bearing a plaque with their names at the bottom. They are among the souvenirs of the late Grand Tour that still crisscrossed Europe in the second half of the 19th century, reaching not only Italy but also France, particularly Paris, where the Louvre was crowded with wealthy English and American tourists. Both sculptures, in fact, were exhibited at the Louvre starting in 1820, despite originating from two different places: the Venus de Milo, found in Greece, was purchased directly from France, while the Diana of Gabii, owned by the Roman Borghese family, was sold to Napoleon in 1807. In the years that followed, the two new acquisitions became the museum's flagship collection, and small-scale reproductions in bronze, marble, and alabaster rapidly spread. The peculiarity of these two small bronzes, besides their curious size, is the fact that they are mounted on a pedestal, making them magnificent collector's items. In excellent condition.

Dimensions: H 19 cm, Base 4.5 x 4.5 cm See less