Peeking out from the shadows, have you noticed Venus? This isn’t just any statue. It’s a story frozen in bronze.
Venus stands here in Copenhagen. She resides in the pedestrian tunnel. Many pass by without a second glance. But Venus has secrets to whisper.
This bronze figure dates back to the 1700s. Imagine her then, gracing a garden or a grand hall. Now, she is here. She is underfoot.
But her journey wasn’t smooth. Time and perhaps mischief scattered her. Venus was found in pieces. Hundreds of pieces in fact.
The fragments of Venus were recovered. There were 947 pieces. It sounds like an impossible puzzle to put back together.
Mogens Møller was the sculptor. He took on the challenge. It was between 1986 and 2003 when he worked. He brought Venus back to life.
Think of Møller’s dedication. For years he pieced her together. Slowly she emerged from the fragments. It was a testament to artistry and patience.
Finally, on March 14, 2003, Venus found her home. She was placed in her intended spot. Or so the story goes.
Now, here she stands. Venus is in this underground tunnel. The bronze catches the dim light.
She is a reminder of hidden beauty. She is a reminder of resilience. Venus was lost and found. She was broken and made whole.
There is another Venus connection in Copenhagen. The New Carlsberg Glyptotek houses Roman statues. Among them are portraits of Roman women. Some are depicted as Venus.
One such statue portrays a Roman lady. It might be Marcia Furnilla. She was the wife of Titus. The statue’s body resembles the Capitoline Venus. It is a Roman copy of a Greek original.
The head is a realistic portrait. Marcia Furnilla was neither young nor beautiful. She has distinct features. Big eyes, a large nose, and deep furrows mark her face.
The hair is elaborate. It forms an arch of corkscrew curls. Holes are drilled into each curl. It is a style of the Trajanic era.
This statue was acquired in 1891. It came from Casa Vitali in Marino. It was allegedly found in the Flavians’ Villa.
The head has been detached. The nose is missing its tip. The left hand is broken off. Most fingers on the right hand are gone. The small Amor is now lost. Only the feet remain.
These statues share a name. They share a legacy. They link Copenhagen to ancient Rome. They are stories of beauty. They are stories of survival.
So, next time you pass Venus, remember her past. Remember the sculptor who rebuilt her. Remember the Roman ladies who posed as goddesses.
They are all here in Copenhagen. They are waiting to be discovered. They are whispering their stories to those who listen. Take a moment. Listen to Venus.