Asses of the Gods

Palazzo Nuovo, Rome, Capitoline Aphrodite Palazzo Nuovo, Rome, Capitoline Aphrodite

This statue is famous enough to warrent a Wiki entry. This is the Capitoline Venus at the Palazzo Nuevo, one of the Capitoline Museums of Rome. She is, in most respects, typical of the Modest Aphrodite type. The original modest Aphrodite was made by Praxiteles in the 4th century BC. It depicts Aphrodite covering her groin with one hand, thus being modest. The simultanious covering and drawing attention to the sexuality of the goddess has struck a chord for nearly 2500 years. The Capitoline Venus is a copy of a second or third century variation, which introduces the movement of the other hand to cover/draw attention to the breasts.

Palazzo Nuovo, Capitoline Aphrodite

This particular copy is from the 2nd century AD, under the reign of Antoninus Pius, successor to Hadrian. Rome was, arguably, at the height of its power under Hadrian and still was enjoying good times under Antonius.

Note the lovely marble inlay in the wall, too.

Palazzo Nuovo, Cupid and Psyche

Cupid and Psyche. I didn't get a good photo of the sign but I think this statue is from the 1st century AD, modeled on a 2nd century BC original. Eric looks on disapprovingly...

Palazzo Nuovo, Cupid and Psyche

... because someone has cracked off Cupid's arrow. I wonder if Cupid was carved with an erection? Erect penises were generally considered symbols of luck or fertility, or humor, so probably he was sculpted in idealistic flaccidity. But who knows? Maybe his sculptor was a realist.

The story of Cupid and Psyche varies somewhat, but the jist of it is that Cupid was ordered by Aphrodite to make Psyche fall in love with the first thing she saw upon waking, and to ensure that that thing was something horrible. However, Cupid fell in love with Psyche himself (maybe he scratched himself with an arrow, maybe not). Aphrodite was, to put it mildly, not thrilled. But love prevailed in the end.

Palazzo Nuovo, nude woman

Intact penises are rare, but females that aren't as smooth as a Barbie are even rarer. This is about as much detail as you get.

Palazzo Nuovo, nude woman

That's not a hat, that's her hair. And you thought the 1950's beehive was goofy! This particular fashion blunder makes it very likely that the piece itself is from the 1st century AD, although the non-hair parts could well be a copy of an earlier original.

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