---
title: Lely's Venus
author: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/4887/lelys-venus/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# Lely's Venus

_Authored by [Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/OsamaSMAmin/)_

## Image File

[![Lely's Venus](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/4887.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/4887.jpg)

## Image Caption

Here the goddess [Aphrodite](https://www.worldhistory.org/Aphrodite/)/[Venus](https://www.worldhistory.org/venus/) is surprised as she bathes, her water jar resting under her left thigh. She crouches naked and attempts to cover herself with her arms and expressive hands. Her beautiful head, with its top-knot hair style, is turned nervously to one side, perhaps in the direction of an intruder. This [sculpture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Sculpture/) was probably made in the 1st or 2nd century CE and is a [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) copy of an earlier [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) original. The original sculpture, now lost, may have been of [bronze](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/bronze/) or marble, perhaps dating to the 2nd century BCE. This statue is sometimes known as Lely's Venus, named after the painter Sir Peter Lily. (The British Museum, London)

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## About the Author

Associate Professor of Neurology and lover of the Cradle of Civilization, Mesopotamia. I'm very interested in Mesopotamian history and always try to take photos of archaeological sites and artifacts in museums, both in Iraq and around the world.
- [Facebook Profile](https://www.facebook.com/MRCPian)
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/osama-shukir-muhammed-amin/)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Amin, O. S. M. (2016, April 11). Lely's Venus. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/4887/lelys-venus/>
### Chicago
Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Lely's Venus." *World History Encyclopedia*, April 11, 2016. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/4887/lelys-venus/>.
### MLA
Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Lely's Venus." *World History Encyclopedia*, 11 Apr 2016, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/4887/lelys-venus/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/OsamaSMAmin/ "User Page: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin"), published on 11 April 2016. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Copyright](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright). You cannot use, copy, distribute, or modify this item without explicit permission from the author. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.