Statue of Venus - Carlo Gregori

A precise eighteenth-century engraving by Carlo Gregori, depicting a classical statue of Venus in the traditional pudica pose.

This fine etching by the Italian engraver Carlo Gregori depicts a classical statue of Venus. The work is part of a larger series documenting antique sculptures, a common practice for eighteenth-century printmakers who sought to preserve and disseminate the aesthetic ideals of antiquity. Gregori worked from drawings by Domenico Campiglia, a draughtsman known for his precise renderings of classical statuary found in Italian collections.

The figure of Venus is rendered in the pudica pose, with one hand covering her chest and the other positioned near her hip. This posture, derived from ancient Greek prototypes, emphasises the grace and modesty of the subject. Beside the figure, a small dolphin and a putto are visible, traditional attributes associated with the goddess of love. The engraving technique employs subtle cross-hatching and stippling to suggest the smooth, rounded volume of marble, creating a sense of three-dimensional form on a two-dimensional surface.

Gregori’s approach is characterised by a clean, disciplined line. The composition is framed within a simple border, typical of the scholarly catalogues of the period. The Roman numeral XXVII at the top right indicates its place within a larger collection of plates. By focusing on the anatomical accuracy and the balanced proportions of the sculpture, the print reflects the broader European interest in classical archaeology and the study of ancient art forms during the mid-eighteenth century. The print provides a clear, objective record of the sculpture as it appeared in the eighteenth century, free from the embellishments often found in more decorative works of the era. It is a precise example of the reproductive printmaking tradition that allowed scholars and artists across Europe to study the treasures of Italian museums from afar.