The 'Esquiline Venus' is a slightly smaller-than-life-size nude marble sculpture of a female wearing sandals and a headdress; its name 'Esquiline' comes from the site where it was discovered 'Esquiline Hill' in Rome, probably part of the same site of the Horti Lamiani where the Discobolus and Laocoon and his Sons had been found previously.

In style the Esquiline Venus is an example of the Pasitelean "eclectic" Neo-Attic school, combining elements from a variety of other previous schools - a Praxitelean idea of the nude female form; a face, muscular torso, and small high breasts in the fifth-century BC severe style; and pressed-together thighs typical of Hellenistic sculptures. Its arms must have broken off when the statue fell after the imperial park in which is stood fell into neglect after antiquity. They have been frequently restored in paintings, but never in reality.

The statue's subject has interpreted various times; the most common depiction is that of Venus in the form of 'Anadyomene' (Rising from the sea) which is one of the iconic representations of the goddess during her birth from the water. Another common depiction is the female version of the 'Diadumenos' of Polyclitus, tying up the hair with a fillet.

Aphrodite found on the Esquiline in Rome, Roman first century BC., copy, Rome, Palazzo dei Conservatori inv. 1141. The Royal Cast Collection (Copenhagen, Denmark). Made with Memento Beta.

The Birth of Venus, William-Adolphe Bouguereau c. 1897

Diadumene, Edward John Poynter, 1883

This object is part of "Scan The World". Scan the World is a non-profit initiative introduced by MyMiniFactory, through which we are creating a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks and landmarks from across the globe for the public to access for free. Scan the World is an open source, community effort, if you have interesting items around you and would like to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to find out how you can help.