Venus Rising from the Sea

Art Historical Context

**Venus Rising from the Sea** enchanting 19th-century miniature sculpture the timeless myth of Venus, the Roman goddess of love, emerging from the sea foam in a moment of divine beauty. Carved from ivory on a delicate 3½-inch (8.9 cm) disc and housed in an ornate tortoiseshell box, the artwork features playful putti (cherubic figures), swirling fish, and radiant sun, evoking the classical theme of *Venus Anadyomene*. intricate vignettes were prized in European decorative arts, blending mythology with virtuoso craftsmanship. Ivory's smooth, luminous quality allowed artists to achieve lifelik...