Venus (Library)

Venus DeMilo (possibly)
114 GRECIAN BUST. (Marble.) Presented by Mrs. Given Chase.
Listed in 1952 appraisal.

This bust is typical of the kinds of sculptures that were widely available in the art market, especially for tourists, from the 18th through to the 20th centuries. The Classical sculpture of ancient Greece and Rome was revived in the Renaissance of the 15th century and remained popular – and frequently copied – until the Modern era. The smooth, idealized features and highly refined surfaces, usually carried out in pure white marble, are common characteristics of such works. In fact, we do not know for certain if this sculpture is intended to represent Venus, the Greek goddess of love and beauty, or another ancient goddess; the sculpture is also identified in the Women’s Club records as Grecian Bust.

The donor of the sculpture, Marie Katherine Mabis Chase (1888-1979) was the wife of a prominent Des Moines banker, John Givin Chase (1887-1937) whom she married in 1913.