Marble Statue of a Crouching Aphrodite in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, May 2008

Marble Statue of a Crouching Aphrodite
Roman, Imperial period, 1st or 2nd century AD
Copy of a Greek statue of the 3rd century BC
Both ankles and most of the feet are modern restorations

Accession # 09.221.1

The nude goddess was shown in a complex twisting pose, crouching at her bath and turning toward a playful Eros behind her. As with many Hellenistic works, the viewer is invited to circle the statue and to enjoy it from all sides. While the original was probably an important votive dedication in a sanctuary, the Roman copies were primarily decorative works placed in private villas or public baths.

Text from the Metropolitan Museum of Art label.