Statue of Crouching Aphrodite

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This statue showcases Aphrodite basking in a pose that uncovers her hidden charm, more relatable than revered. It is a Roman replica of the Crouching Aphrodite crafted by the skilled Bithynian sculptor Doidalsas. In this iteration, the goddess's stance appears somewhat stiff compared to the original bronze from the 3rd century BC. The goddess's right knee should have been lowered so that it barely touches the base, much like an Aphrodite in the Vatican Museum Collection, which is remarkably similar to this one. The pedestal on which the figure was seated was likely shaped like a hydria, the water container used by the goddess during her ritual bath. First owned by the Jandolo family, this Aphrodite was later illicitly exported and added to a private collection in Monaco. It was reclaimed and brought back to Italy in 1964, then put on display at the National Roman Museum. The sculpture dates back to the early half of the 2nd century AD.