Bather

Unknown

late 16th–early 17th century · Bronze · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

The facial features and tight curls indicate that this is a woman of African descent. With her hair wound in a bathing turban and a washcloth clasped in her hand, she pauses entranced by her reflection in a mirror. Statuettes of idealized female bathers were often identified as Venus, goddess of love. This bronze’s popular title, "Black Venus," reflects the rarity of using an African model for the depiction of female beauty during the Renaissance.

Artist

Unknown

Date

late 16th–early 17th century

Medium

Bronze

Culture

probably Netherlandish

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Gift of Ogden Mills, 1926