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Crouching Venus

Crouching Venus, also known as Aphrodite of Rhodes, is a marble sculpture of the Greek goddess Aphrodite in the crouching pose. It is housed in the Archaeological Museum of Rhodes in Rhodes, Greece, and is considered one of the island’s most important symbols. The statue shows a unique variation on the crouching Aphrodite type: instead of covering herself, she lifts her hair with her fingers to dry it and looks openly at the viewer. Small and elegant, the figure reflects the light, late Hellenistic style often called Hellenistic Rococo. It was carved from a single block of white crystalline marble, probably from Paros, and survives almost intact, with only minor chips and abrasions.

Crouching Venus, a white marble statue of a nude woman crouching with her hands raised to her hair.
Crouching Venus shown in a crouching pose, with both hands lifted toward her hair.
September 2023 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Crouching Venus marble sculpture of a crouching nude female figure displayed in a glass case
Crouching Venus marble sculpture shown in a crouching pose inside a glass display case.
© Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domain
Crouching Venus marble statue in a crouching pose with her head lowered and hands raised to her hair.
Crouching Venus shown as a light-colored marble statue on a dark base.
© · CC BY-SA 3.0
Crouching Venus marble sculpture of a crouching nude woman adjusting her hair in a museum
Crouching Venus displayed on a dark stone base in a museum setting.
September 2023 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Crouching Venus marble statue in a crouching pose, with one arm raised to her braided hair.
Close-up of the Crouching Venus, showing the statue’s crouching pose and raised arm.
June 2013 © · CC BY-SA 3.0

Identification

TitleCrouching Venus
Alternative namesAfrodita de Rodas; Aphrodite of Rhodes; Crouching Venus of Rhodes
Iconographic typeCrouching Venus
SubjectAphrodite (Venus)
Original-language titleAfrodita agachada de Rodas

Historical context

Artistic periodLate Hellenistic period
TypeSmall, elegant marble sculpture of the crouching Aphrodite type
PrototypeDerived from a lost Greek original of the 3rd century BC, attributed to Dedalsas of Bithynia
Historical useUsed from the Hellenistic period onward to decorate the homes of the wealthy
StyleLight style, conventionally called Hellenistic Rococo
DateProbably 3rd or 2nd century BC

Creator

Attributed sculptor of originalDedalsas of Bithynia

Discovery and provenance

Discovery locationGarden of the Governor's villa in Rhodes
Historical context at discoveryRhodes was under Italian control after Italy annexed the Dodecanese from the Ottoman Empire in 1912
Discovery date1923
Discovery typeAccidental find

Physical characteristics

ConditionAlmost intact
DimensionsStatue height 49 cm; base height 12 cm; total height including base 61 cm; approximately half life-size
BaseAncient base, probably not originally belonging to the sculpture
DamageMinor chips in the hair at the back and abrasions on the fingers and toes, especially the left foot
Surface finishVery well polished, giving the impression of porcelain
Anatomical detailFew anatomical details are shown

Materials

MaterialMarble
Probable marble sourceParos

Technique

ConstructionCarved from a single piece of marble

Appearance

PoseAphrodite crouching, with her right knee close to the ground and her head turned to the right
GestureShe lifts her hair with her fingers to dry it, rather than covering her nudity
ViewpointShe looks at the viewer with her breasts openly displayed

Location and ownership

Current locationArchaeological Museum of Rhodes, Rhodes, Greece

Significance

SignificanceConsidered one of the most important emblems of Rhodes today