Pauline Borghese Bonaparte as Venus Victrix 1816

Angelo Bertini created this print of 'Pauline Borghese Bonaparte as Venus Victrix'. It captures Antonio Canova's sculpture of Napoleon's sister in a moment of classical repose. Pauline’s representation as Venus, the goddess of love and beauty, reflects the period’s fascination with classical antiquity, but also raises questions about female representation and agency. She is depicted in a way that both celebrates her beauty and alludes to her status as a desirable object. "I will pose nude as long as the sculptor assures me that he is stronger than I am" she is rumored to have said, highlighting the dynamic between artist and sitter, and the power dynamics inherent in the gaze. Bertini’s print captures the emotional tension between idealized beauty and the realities of power and representation, inviting us to reflect on the complex interplay between art, identity, and societal expectations.