Apr 1
Vénus sortant du bain (also known as La Baigneuse and The Bather) (1767), by Christophe-Gabriel Allegrain (French, 1710 – 1795), on the baseboard, on the reverse side: ‘C.G ALLEGRAIN FECIT’, marble, 1.74 m (5 ft. 8 ½ in.) x 62 cm (24 ¼ in.) x 67.5 cm (26 ½ in), Musée du Louvre
#Vénus sortant du bain#La Baigneuse#The Bather#Christophe-Gabriel Allegrain#sculpture#my upload#marble#art#a seminal Neoclassical marble sculpture celebrating the female form with naturalistic sensuality and graceful serpentine fluidity#It depicts Venus the goddess of love emerging from a bath symbolizing beauty and desire#and was famously gifted by Louis XV to his mistress Madame du Barry#Symbolism of Love and Beauty: The statue represents Venus the Roman goddess of love and fertility embodying idealized femininity#Transition from Rococo to Neoclassicism: The work is notable for balancing strict Neoclassical form with Rococo sensuality and#softness often praised for its naturalistic rather than severely classical appearance#Sensuality and Grace: Allegrain focused on naturalistic details featuring soft contours a faint smile and an intricate braided#hairstyle. The pose is intimate showing the goddess tending to her hair or body after a bath#Historical Context & Patronage: Commissioned by Louis XV in 1756 and completed in 1767 it was the king’s only court#commission of this type. Its placement in Mme du Barry’s gardens at Louveciennes highlights its role in the refined indulgent culture#of the late French aristocracy#Praise and Fame: The statue was highly praised upon its exhibition at the Salon of 1767 for its technical mastery and elegance#cementing Allegrain's reputation
