The Arrival of Venus at the Studio

The Lattimore Atelier recently acquired a stunning antique-plaster 

cast of one of the most famous works of ancient Greek sculpture.  

"Aphrodite of Milos", better known as the

"Venus de Milo"

(above) Venus after restoration.

Created around 120 BC, it portrays Aphrodite (Venus to the Romans),the Greek goddess of love and beauty. It has been on display in the Louvre since it's discovery in the ancient city ruins of Milos in 1820.

The cast is the same size as the original marble sculpture itself.   It is slightly larger than life size, 6 ft. 8 in. tall.  The cast of Venus was originally acquired by Vassar College around 1870.

Prior to packing and transportation to the Atelier,  I discovered in the bottom half of the cast, wood chips and numerous old newspapers, all dated September 3, 1894.  

(above)  The bottom half of Venus in the freight elevator on the way up to the studio.

The services of  sculptor and restorer, Michael Keropian, were retained to repair damage and remove a band of plaster from the waist.  It had been inaccurately applied for additional support where the top and bottom sections of the cast meet.  

Further examination of both sections and their "refitting", revealed an additional layer of plaster inside the torso section that did not allow it to sit properly inside the bottom draped section. 

Mr. Keropian quickly determined that all of the added plaster should be removed.  

(below) Chipping away plaster from the front torso.

(below) Chipping away plaster from the back.

Then the torso was filed down on an angle so as to

 fit the original shoulder of the bottom section.  

A layer of new plaster was placed on the shoulder rim to create a

 proper foot print for the torso on top.  Once in place,

 light plaster touch ups and sanding at the joining seal were done.

Under Mr. Keropian's guidance,  I "antiqued" the white plaster with thin glazes of

 paint to match the old, darker plaster patina seen in the rest of Venus. 

 (above) Right side before restoration.

 (above) Right side after restoration.

 (above) Front before restoration.

(above) Front after restoration.

(above) The statue completely restored.  The pitted damage that you see

 to her body is authentic to the actual "Venus de Milo".

A dolly was built and Venus placed on top.  This will allow the cast to be moved freely so students can draw different views of the statue.   They have already begun to do so in earnest.

The Venus de Milo is the most significant addition to the Atelier cast collection to date.  I'm

thrilled that all students will have the opportunity to hone their drawing skills from such a timeless masterpiece of antiquity.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Another beautiful cast acquired in 2011, is the "Horse of Selene".   A life-size horse head from The Chariot of Selene, the Greek moon goddess.   It was originally from the east pediment of the Parthenon and is now in the British Museum.