Cnidian Aphrodite ca. AD 120-130 marble Prado |
The flow of marble sculpture from Italy to Spain was steady and abundant from the 16th through the 18th centuries. Royal agents or noble travelers who made these acquisitions in Italy consistently believed they were buying antiquities. In fact, the proportion of fakes and reproductions was high. Only about one-third of the Roman sculpture purchased for Spain is still believed to have been created by ancient Romans. The remainder was produced by modern Italian craftspeople, artists, and restorers, who yet themselves worked to an impressively high standard.
Double herm with Aphrodite and Eros ca. AD 35 marble Prado |
Bust of a noble matron ca. AD 110-120 marble Prado |
Juno 16th century marble Prado |
Venus 16th century marble Prado |
Athena 17th century marble Prado |
Bacchante 17th century marble Prado |
Diana 18th century marble Prado |
Idealized head 18th century marble Prado |
Idealized head 18th century marble Prado |
Relief medallion 17th century marble Prado |
Relief medallion of Livia Augusta 17th century marble Prado |
Relief of dancing Maenad ca. AD 120-140 marble Prado |
Relief of dancing Maenad ca. AD 120-140 marble Prado |
I am grateful for the beautiful reproductions made available by Museo del Prado.