Aphrodite at The Louvre, Paris

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Among the many copies inspired by the Aphrodite of Cnidus, this head from the former Kaufmann Collection stands as a testament to Hellenistic-era craftsmanship. Distinguished by its elegant beauty and refinement, the sculptor masterfully adapted Praxiteles' masterpiece of the mid-fourth century BC, preserving its spiritual grandeur and sensuality intact. The goddess bathes in complete nudity, an audacious and innovative treatment of the subject that showcases her vulnerability. The Kaufmann Head This Aphrodite head was unearthed at Tralles in Asia Minor around 1885. It bears the name of the Kaufmann Collection, where it was preserved until its acquisition by the Louvre in 1951. A corresponding fragment from the same statue, depicting the pelvis and upper thighs, is housed in the collections of the Staatliche Museen in Berlin. As one of many copies made of the Aphrodite of Cnidus during the Hellenistic and Imperial periods, this head displays a distinctive tilt to the left, chignon, and hair treatment in waves divided equally on either side of a central part, reminiscent of other Roman heads in its vicinity. The head's gentle beauty and refined features are hallmarks of its Hellenistic period origins. An Original Creation Based on Praxiteles' Aphrodite This marble head from the Kaufmann Collection offers more than a simple copy - it represents an original creation from the second century BC. The sculptor took liberties with the famous statue created by Praxiteles, an Athenian master of mid-fourth-century BC fame, without altering either the goddess's spiritual nobility or her sensuality. They lengthened the neck and noticeably elongated the delicate oval face, while also rearranging the ribbons holding the hair to run parallel, a departure from other copies that diverge. Aphrodite appears more tentative and fragile, yet both the subject's memory and Praxiteles' style remain evident, particularly in the sfumato effect emanating from her face. An Aphrodite Surprised in Her Bath In the fourth century BC, the citizens of Cnidus, a small city-state on Asia Minor's southern coast, placed Praxiteles' Aphrodite at the heart of the temple dedicated to her. Viewers were struck by the boldness of the subject - the first large-scale Greek statue depicting the female nude - and its exceptional execution. The statue depicts the goddess surprised in her bath by an intruder, completely naked as she performs her ritual ablutions. This image, imbued with a deep religious significance, was frequently copied thereafter, possibly more for decorative purposes than spiritual ones. This object is part of "Scan The World". Scan the World is a non-profit initiative introduced by MyMiniFactory, creating a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from across the globe for public access. It is an open-source community effort; if you have interesting items around you and would like to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to learn how you can help.