Capitoline Venus at The Louvre, Paris

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This artifact was unearthed in Acqua Traversa, situated just outside Rome's city limits. Archaeologists believe it was crafted in the 2nd century AD. The sculpture is part of a collection of antique replicas depicting a renowned representation of Aphrodite (Venus), with the best-preserved example located within the Capitole Museum in Rome. Although lost to time, the Greek original dated back to either the 3rd or 2nd century BC and was modeled after Praxilites' iconic Aphrodite of Cnidus sculpture. The Capitoline Venus is a specific type of statue representing Venus, classified under the category of modest Venus (Venus Pudica) sculptures. Several examples exist within this category, each bearing resemblance to the Aphrodite of Cnidus. The Capitoline Venus and its variants can be distinguished by the pose of their arms – after emerging from a bath, Venus begins to cover her breasts with her right hand while concealing her groin area with her left. The original model for this type of sculpture is believed to have originated as a 3rd- or 2nd-century BCE variation on Praxiteles' work in Asia Minor. This rendition modified the Praxitelean tradition by incorporating a sensual and voluptuous treatment of the subject, along with Venus's gesture of modesty using both hands – unlike Praxiteles' original, where only one hand covered the groin area. This artifact is part of the "Scan The World" initiative, a non-profit project introduced by MyMiniFactory. This digital archive aims to provide free access to fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from around the globe. Scan The World is an open-source community effort, where individuals can contribute interesting items by emailing stw@myminifactory.com.