Lot 51: A BRONZE MODEL OF THE VENUS DE' MEDICI

A BRONZE MODEL OF THE VENUS DE' MEDICI BY FRANCESCO RIGHETTI (1749-1819), 1790 Depicted standing in contrapposto and holding her right hand to her left breast and holding a swag of drapery across her thigh; on an integrally cast shaped plinth with dolphin support and a later red marble base; signed and dated to the reverse of the plinth 'F. RIGHETTI. F. ROMAE. 1790'; greenish brown patina with lighter brown high points 12¾ in. (32.4 cm.) high; 17 in. (43.2 cm.) high, overall

The reputation of the Venus de' Medici is such that, today, she is probably the most famous image of all antique marbles. Although first documented in 1638, when she was recorded in a book of engravings of the most beautiful antique statues in Rome, the Venus was almost certainly known in the 16th century (Haskell and Penny, loc. cit.).
Originally housed in the Villa Medici, the marble was transferred to Florence in 1677, and by 1688 had taken pride of place in the Tribuna of the Uffizi. When Napoleon's armies were threatening Italy, it was among the treasures moved to the south of Italy for safety, but it was eventually claimed by the French and was shipped to Paris where it remained between 1803 and 1815. After Napoleon's defeat, it was returned to the Tribuna, where it remains today.