Lot 173
Lot 173
PROVENANT DE LA COLLECTION ANATOLE FRANCE
TORSE DE VÉNUS

ART ROMAIN, VERS LE Ier SIÈCLE APRÈS J.-C.

Price Realised EUR 69,300
Estimate
EUR 12,000 - EUR 18,000
Closed: 14 Jun 2024
Loading details
TORSE DE VÉNUS

ART ROMAIN, VERS LE Ier SIÈCLE APRÈS J.-C.

Price Realised EUR 69,300
Closed: 14 Jun 2024
Price Realised EUR 69,300
Closed: 14 Jun 2024
  • Details
  • Lot Essay
  • Related Articles
  • More from
Details
marbre

Ce lot a été consigné par la maison de ventes Marambat-de-Malafosse à Toulouse.
H. 18,5 cm (714 in.)
Provenance
Collection du poète, journaliste and romancier Anatole France (1844-1924), Paris et Tours.
Puis par descendance à son petit-fils, Lucien Anatole Ernest Jean Psichari (1908-1995),
D'où acquis par le propriétaire actuel, sud de la France.
Literature
Bibliographie comparative :
L. Carias, Anatole France, Paris, 1931.
FURTHER DETAILS
A ROMAN MARBLE TORSO OF VENUS, CIRCA 1ST CENTURY A.D.

Based on a Hellenistic original, this statue captures the goddess of love in the final preparations for her bath, with all her clothing removed but for her sandals. Many versions of this small-scale statue type survive. It was probably a popular votive offering in the Hellenistic period, and it was widely used as decoration in Roman villas.
For a complete example of the type see the statuette in the Badisches Landesmuseum, Karlsruhe, no. 464 in A. Gelivorrias, et al., "Aphrodite," in LIMC, vol. II.

Anatole France, the pen name of Jacques Anatole Thibault, was a French poet, journalist, and novelist celebrated for his wit, skepticism, and keen observations of human nature. Born in 1844, France's literary career spanned the late 19th and early 20th centuries, earning him the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1921. His works often satirized the hypocrisy and dogma of society, blending irony with deep philosophical reflections. France's novels, including "The Crime of Sylvestre Bonnard" and "Thaïs," exhibit his mastery of language and his ability to probe the complexities of morality and existence. Through his writings, Anatole France left an indelible mark on French literature, challenging conventional wisdom and inviting readers to question the status quo. The present lot can be seen on Anatole France's desk as photographed by Edward Steichen in 1913.
Brought to you by
Bérénice VerdierAssociate Specialist
A Christie's specialist may contact you to discuss this lot or to notify you if the condition changes prior to the sale.

Lot Essay

More from
Maîtres Anciens : Peintures - Sculptures, Online