Venus D'Italica

Art

Historic Charleston Foundation

Venus of the Bath, after Canov

Origformat: 35 mm color print, 4

Name/Title

Venus D'Italica

Entry/Object ID

96.3.3

Description

Copy of Canova's Venus D'Italica, or Venus of the Bath. White Marble Sculpture of a Female Holding a Drapery To Cover Herself. Figure stands on a flat cylindrical base with a coffer at her feet. Sculpture rests on a cloumnar, marble base. Canova's Original Venus D'Italica Was Commissioned By the Grand Duke of Tuscany To Replace the Venus De'Medici Which Was Removed By Napoleon's Army. Canova's Was Actually an Adaptation of the Medici Venus - They Aren't identical.

Collection

Historic Charleston Foundation Collection

Acquisition

Accession

96.3.

Source or Donor

The Charleston Museum

Acquisition Method

Transfer

Made/Created

Artist

Canova, Antonio

Date made

1840 - 1860

Place

Location

Italy

Lexicon

Nomenclature 4.0

Nomenclature Primary Object Term

Sculpture

Nomenclature Class

Art

Nomenclature Category

Category 08: Communication Objects

Dimensions

Height

42 in

Width

14 in

Diameter

14 in

Dimension Notes

[height]42" __[length] __[width]14" __[depth] __[diameter]14" __[size] __[other] Statue sits on marble pedestal: H: 40.875" W: 17" by 17"

Location

Building

AR ART GALLERY

Moved By

Red

Date

April 23, 1998

Notes

Until: / /

Location

Building

AR 109

Condition

Notes

Cleaned By Shelley Reisman Paine in November 1997. Surface Stable At This Time, But Is Discolored By Irregularly Shaped Yellow Stains. Only Loss Is a Small Curl From the Front of Her Head. See Complete Report in File

Notes

Structure: The sculpture is made in two parts, the head and body. The stone is compact, coherent, and fine grained. The surface has a fine polish that provides a high luster to the sculpture. There are areas of loss along the perimeter of the object and base. There are no structural deformations apparent at this time. Damage Information: A moderate layer of airborne dirt, grime, covers the surface, creating a mottled appearance. There are moderate and major accumulations of dirt, pollution and smoke residue in recesses of the design, and on the underside of the design causing the color of the stone to appear dark gray/brown. There are obvious areas of whiter surface around the calves, left writst and forearm, and chest to the back. There is minor abrasion overall. There is no apparent biological damage. There are no areas of surface deformation, accretion or insecurity at this time.

Conservation

Treatment

Conservator

Shelley Reisman Paine

Notes

Scope of work: Pre-treatment examination and identification: A technical examination, conducted by the conservator, will be performed to reflect aspects of manufacture and material identification to verify and augment what is currently known about the object. This examination will also include identification of post-collection deterioration, treatment or alteration. This information will be used to to design the final treatment proposal. The proposal above is an approximation of the materials and techniques needed for treatment. Curatorial collaboration is needed to define the full scope of the treatment proposal. No unneccessary measures will be taken and every effort will be made to maintain the research potential of the object. Treatment will be performed only after final examination of the object and receipt of written approval from the owner. Any alteration to the final treatment proposal and release will be discussed with the owner for approval. Test: Perform solubility tests to determine safe an appropriate treatment materials to remove grime and accretions without harm to the stone. Clean: The sculpture and base will be cleaned with a low suction vacuum on the surface of the object to remove loose surface debris. Surface accumulations will be removed with a gentle misting of filtered water and soft brushes. Removal of surface soil, stains, and grime will possibly be done with any of the following: a misting system, application of a .05% non-ionic detergent, application of ammonium citrate, or an ammonium bicarbonate/sodium bicarbonate solution, All residues will be removed wit pH balanced water applied with a mister, brush, swab or steam. Since the success of the treatment cannot be truly assessed until it is tested and performed, this proposal only provides for cleaning with weak solutions and mild detergents. Compensate: Areas of loss will be filled with either tinted wax or a wax/resin filler toned to match the color of the stone. Documentation: The condition and treatment of the object will be documented in 35mm color slides and in written reports. Cost: 4500

Relationships

Related Publications

Notes

Charlestonians Abroad Catalogue P.227-228

Exhibitions

Exhibition

Notes

Exhibit Start: 2004-06-07

General Notes

Note

Notes: Note That Pedestal Is Slightly Unstable and Wobbles Is Pushed. taken To Gibbes Museum of Art April 1999 To Be Returned July 1999. Pedestal Taken As Well But Not Used As Was Unstable on Carpet. Brass Disc Removed From Between Pedestal and Sculpture To Increase Stability. Disc Stored in File. Status: OK Location Details1: 1

Created By

[email protected]

Create Date

April 23, 1998

Updated By

[email protected]

Update Date

March 30, 2023