Venus Rising From the Sea 1755 - 1765

This is a porcelain sculpture of Venus Rising From the Sea, made by the Doccia Porcelain Manufactory in Italy, sometime between 1737 and 1896. The sculpture depicts Venus, the Roman goddess of love, beauty, and desire, emerging from the sea in a shell. She is surrounded by putti, or cherubs, and sea creatures. The sculpture is made of porcelain, a material that was highly prized in Europe at the time. Porcelain production was often connected to Royal patronage, as in this case. The sculpture is a representation of classical mythology, but it is also a product of its time. The Rococo style, with its emphasis on ornamentation and fantasy, was at the height of its popularity in the 18th century, it reflects the values and tastes of the European aristocracy. To understand this work more fully, we would need to research the history of the Doccia Porcelain Manufactory, the patrons who commissioned the work, and the social context in which it was made. This kind of historical research can help us to understand the meaning of the artwork and its place in the world.