Callipygian Venus, after antiquity c. 19th century

Curator: Isn't it remarkable? Here we have a small plaster intaglio, "Callipygian Venus, after antiquity," created by the Pichler family. Editor: It's like a whisper from another era. The oval shape, the muted white… it feels so delicate, so intimate. Curator: Indeed. The Pichlers were known for these miniature masterpieces. The "Callipygian Venus," you know, refers to the statue celebrating Venus's shapely buttocks. It's all about beauty, isn't it? Editor: It's beauty, yes, but also a coded message. The backside as a symbol of fertility, abundance, maybe even a bit of playful rebellion against stricter ideals. What do you think? Curator: Yes, it's a conversation piece, a tiny window into the past, isn't it? The artists were clever. It makes you think about what we choose to value and immortalize. Editor: It’s amazing how an entire narrative is captured in such a small thing. It's a reminder that big ideas often come in surprisingly small packages.