Allegory of Astronomy
by GIAMBOLOGNA, Gilt bronze, height 39 cm
This statuette of a young woman represents an allegory of Astronomy with her attributes (prism, armillary sphere, compass). In old inventories it was called Venus Urania. The statuette marks a high point in Giambologna’s endeavour to present a beautiful, naked female body which is “equally beautiful from all views”.
It was created c. 1573, around the time when the artist created his Apollo figurine for the Studiolo of Francesco de’Medici.