Venus Met Schelp

myminifactory

This captivating statue of a deity has captivated and intrigued since its unearthing in the park. The deity remains veiled in mystery, her demeanor an enduring puzzle. The missing fragments of marble and absence of attributes complicated the restoration and identification of the statue. A wide range of stances have been proposed: reclining against a column, resting her elbow on Ares' shoulder, or holding various attributes. Depending on whether she grasped a bow or an amphora, she was Artemis or a Danaid. She is widely believed to represent Aphrodite, due to her partial nudity and her alluring, feminine contours. She may have held an apple — an allusion to the Judgement of Paris — a crown, a shield, or a mirror in which she admired her reflection. Alternatively, she might also be the sea goddess Amphitrite, who was revered on the island of Milo.