Detail of Venus Italica by Canova in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, June 2012

Title: Venus Italica

Artist: Workshop of Antonio Canova (Italian, Possagno 1757–1822 Venice)

Date: probably ca. 1822–23, variant of marble first executed 1810

Culture: Italian, Rome

Medium: Carrara marble

Dimensions: wt. confirmed: 69 in., 646 lb. (175.3 cm, 293 kg)

Classification: Scientific Instruments

Credit Line: Bequest of Lillian Rojtman Berkman, 2001

Accession Number: 2003.21.1

Canova's first marble Venus is in the Palazzo Pitti, Florence. Known as the Venus Italica, it was ordered in 1804 by Ludovico I, King of Etruria, as a replacement for the ancient Medici Venus that had been taken by the French for the Musée Napoleon. This replica, purchased from Canova's studio by the third marquess of Londonderry in late 1826 or early 1827, remained in Londonderry House, London, until 1962.

Text from: www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/211504