Mazarin Venus

The Mazarin Venus is a Roman marble sculpture of Venus, a variant of the Venus Pudica (modest Venus) type. The statue is named after Cardinal Mazarin, a 17th-century French statesman and art collector, in whose collection it was first recorded.

The sculpture depicts Venus standing, with her right arm drawn across her torso in a gesture of modesty, partially covering her breasts. Her left arm holds a drapery that falls from her hip. The head is turned slightly to her left.

The Mazarin Venus is believed to be a Roman copy of a Greek original, possibly dating back to the 2nd century BCE. Several similar sculptures exist, attesting to the popularity of the Venus Pudica type in antiquity.

The statue was acquired by Cardinal Mazarin in the mid-17th century and became one of the highlights of his renowned art collection. After Mazarin's death in 1661, the collection was dispersed, and the Mazarin Venus was acquired by Louis XIV for the French royal collection.

Today, the Mazarin Venus is one of the most famous sculptures in the Louvre Museum in Paris. Its elegant form and historical significance continue to captivate viewers.