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Aphrodite of Cnidus

The Oxford Dictionary of Art | 2004 | | Copyright

Aphrodite of Cnidus. Statue by Praxiteles, made for the city of Cnidus in Asia Minor. It is now lost, but it was his most famous work in antiquity (Pliny thought it was the finest statue in the world), and was the ancestress of the modern female nude—the first life-size statue showing the goddess completely naked. Several Roman copies survive (for example in the Vatican): they show Aphrodite (Venus) in a gently twisted pose, with the right hand casually masking the pudenda and the left hand dropping her robe over an urn. The statue was placed in an open shrine so it could be seen from all four sides, each view being equally admired. According to some ancient sources, Praxiteles' mistress, the celebrated courtesan Phryne, was his model for the statue. See also Demeter of Cnidus.

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IAN CHILVERS. "Aphrodite of Cnidus." The Oxford Dictionary of Art. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

IAN CHILVERS. "Aphrodite of Cnidus." The Oxford Dictionary of Art. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O2-AphroditeofCnidus.html

IAN CHILVERS. "Aphrodite of Cnidus." The Oxford Dictionary of Art. 2004. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O2-AphroditeofCnidus.html

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Aphrodite of Cnidus

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists | 2003 | | Copyright

Aphrodite of Cnidus Statue by Praxiteles, made for the city of Cnidus in Asia Minor. It is now lost, but it was his most famous work in antiquity (Pliny thought it was the finest statue in the world), and was the ancestress of the modern female nude—the first life-size statue showing the goddess completely naked. Several Roman copies survive (for example in the Vatican): they show Aphrodite (Venus) in a gently twisted pose, with the right hand casually masking the pudenda and the left hand dropping her robe over an urn. The statue was placed in an open shrine so it could be seen from all four sides, each view being equally admired. According to some ancient sources, Praxiteles' mistress, the celebrated courtesan Phryne, was his model for the statue.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

IAN CHILVERS. "Aphrodite of Cnidus." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

IAN CHILVERS. "Aphrodite of Cnidus." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O3-AphroditeofCnidus.html

IAN CHILVERS. "Aphrodite of Cnidus." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists. 2003. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O3-AphroditeofCnidus.html

Learn more about citation styles