Venus Genetrix

Grand tour bronze statuette of the Venus Genetrix.

Venus Genetrix, 'foundress of the family', was the goddess honoured during the Julio-Claudian dynasty of Rome and seen as their ancestor. She is depicted wearing a light palla clinging to her skin and holding the apple of discord in her left hand. 

All the gods of Classical Greek mythology were invited to a party, except for Eris, the goddess of strife. She had her revenge by throwing a golden apple with the inscription “To the fairest goddess” in among the party guests. But who the fairest of the goddesses was could not be agreed on. Therefore the choice was given to the earthly son of a king, Paris. The choice was between Juno, Minerva and Venus, and it was the latter, goddess of beauty and love, who won and received the apple. -Thorvaldsens Museum

The original statue was set up in Julius Caesar's new forum, probably as the cult statue in the cella of his temple of Venus Genetrix. This example is a 19th century reproduction meant as a souvenir for grand tourists visiting Rome. 

28 x 7 x 9 cm