Bather

late 16th–early 17th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 520
The facial features and tight curls indicate that this is a woman of African descent. With her hair wound in a bathing turban and a washcloth clasped in her hand, she pauses entranced by her reflection in a mirror. Statuettes of idealized female bathers were often identified as Venus, goddess of love. This bronze’s popular title, "Black Venus," reflects the rarity of using an African model for the depiction of female beauty during the Renaissance.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Bather
  • Date: late 16th–early 17th century
  • Culture: probably Netherlandish
  • Medium: Bronze
  • Dimensions: Wt. on base, confirmed: 11 3/4 in., 7.7 lb. (29.8 cm, 3.5 kg)
  • Classification: Sculpture-Bronze
  • Credit Line: Gift of Ogden Mills, 1926
  • Object Number: 26.14.15
  • Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

More Artwork

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.