Vacca Chiatamone – Bust Of The Venus Of Capua In Statuary Marble – Naples, 19th Century

A bust in white statuary marble depicting the Venus of Capua, created in Naples in the 19th century based on the famous classical model.

The figure is depicted with her head gently tilted and her gaze lowered; her hair is finely sculpted and gathered at the back, held in place by the characteristic headband that directly echoes the iconography of the Venus of Capua.

On the back of the bust is the engraved signature “Vacca Chiatamone”, a reference to Neapolitan sculpture and to Chiatamone, an area historically linked to artistic studios and workshops. The signature is clearly visible in the photographs.

The marble work is particularly meticulous on the face, the hair, and the surfaces of the bust, with a soft and refined modeling typical of 19th-century Italian sculpture inspired by antiquity.

The bust is mounted on a marble support and rests on a decorative base added later, consisting of a small marble slab and an ornate gilded bronze structure featuring rocaille and foliage motifs. The base was originally used as a lamp base and, in fact, retains a hole on the back, evidence of its previous function.

The marble retains its original patina and shows signs of age, including some cracks and chips at the crown, clearly visible in the photographs. The base retains its gilding with normal wear and oxidation consistent with its age.

An interesting example of 19th-century Neapolitan sculptural production, inspired by one of the most famous models of classical statuary.

Materials: statuary marble, marble, gilded bronze
Subject: Venus of Capua, after an ancient model
Signature: “Vacca Chiatamone”
Origin: Naples, Italy
Period: 19th century
Condition: good overall condition, with patina, fractures/restorations, and normal signs of aging visible in the photograph.