A ROMAN GODDESS One of the finest Mannerist works of sculpture in America, Venus with Nymph and Satyr was completed in the year 1600 by Flemish sculptor Pietro Francavilla. It is one of a series of thirteen mythological figures commissioned in 1574 by Abbot Antonio Bracci for the gardens at his villa in Rovezzano, just outside Florence.
A P R I N C E O F WA L E S Years later, in 1752, the figures were shipped approximately 1,200 miles to Frederick, Prince of Wales for his gardens at Kew. The Prince died before he could see them. Venus and other statues in the series remained in their crates for many years. Four were eventually installed at Windsor Castle. Venus was shown with others among the ruins of Leptis Magna at Virginia Water before being buried in Windsor Great Park in the 1830’s. In 1852, Venus was unearthed to be considered for presentation by Prince Albert to the Royal Horticultural Society Gardens in Kensington. She was buried again after the 1890’s. In 1919, Venus mysteriously reappeared and was acquired by the art dealer, Henry Durlacher. She was exhibited in London until 1926.
A STORIED ART MUSEUM In 1932, Venus crossed the Atlantic for exhibition at the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University. Venus was too hot for Harvard, but not for Hartford. She has had pride of place at the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art ever since.
THE WADSWORTH ATHENEUM MUSEUM OF ART GALA