A Carved Marble Statue of Venus with the Apple, after Bertel Thorvaldsen (Danish/Icelandic, 1770-1844)

20th century, carved white marble, unsigned.

48 x 18 x 15 in.

Private Collection, Durham, North Carolina

Originally commissioned by Dutch merchant banker Pierre César Labouchère, Venus with the Apple was completed in 1828 and displayed in Labouchère's recently purchased Neoclassical villa in England, Hylands House. Thorvaldsen's original is based on the Classical Greek myth involving a party attended by all of the gods save Eris, the goddess of strife, who was not invited. Her revenge came in the form of a golden apple inscribed "To the fairest goddess" which resulted in a heated debate among the guests. The final choice was given to Paris, the earthly son of a king, between Juno, Minerva, and Venus. In the end, it was Venus, the goddess of beauty and love who won and received the apple.

A few small areas of pitting; scattered staining and surface marks from outdoor display; scattered chips to base.