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John Gibson RA, Venus
John Gibson RA, Venus

Venus, c. 1850s

John Gibson RA (1790 - 1866)

RA Collection: Art

In the mid 1850's Gibson began to experiment with colouring his sculptures. His polychrome 'Tinted Venus' astonished visitors to the second Great Exhibition in 1862. Despite facing fierce criticism he argued that tinting and waxing in the Greek fashion animated the cold, hard surface. This plaster is the model for a tinted marble in the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool.

Object details

Title
Venus
Artist/designer
John Gibson RA (1790 - 1866)
Date
c. 1850s
Object type
Sculpture
Medium
Plaster
Dimensions

1727 mm x 508 mm x 460 mm, Weight: 102 kg

Collection
Royal Academy of Arts
Object number
03/1922
Acquisition
Bequeathed by John Gibson RA 1866
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