Crouching Venus

The Crouching Venus is a Hellenistic model of Venus surprised at her bath. The type typically depicts the Goddess crouching with her right knee close to the ground, her head turned to the right and, in mouth versions, reaching her right arm over her left shoulder to cover her breasts. The earliest reference to a sculpture of this type is mentioned in Pliny the Elder's Natural History (xxxvi.4) who describes the Venus washing herself, of Daedalsas in the Temple of Jupiter Stator. Because of so many existing ancient versions of the sculpture it is difficult to make accurate archival identifications, though some (like this one) include a water jar and/or an additional figure of Eros, explore these here. This sculpture is a heavily restored version of an original Crouching Venus housed at The British Museum.