Statues of Apollo and Aphrodite

c. 1750

Statues of Apollo and Aphrodite (French, c. 1750) by Guillaume Coustou the Younger (French, 1716-1777) commissioned by the Marquis Marc Rene Voyer d'Argenson. The statues were original to the ground floor garden facade of the Chateau d'Asnieres, which served as design inspiration for The Elms. They were removed around 1897 when they were purchased by the design firm Jules Allard et ses Fils for their client Edward J. Berwind. They were shipped to Newport between 1899 and1901, and installed on the rear façade of The Elms. They have since been moved by The Preservation Society into the conservatory to protect from the elements and modern copies have been installed on the rear façade in their place (PSNC.11258.1-.2).

The French limestone sculptures are in demi-relief, each is set on a Rococo-style base. Apollo is seated on a rocky outcropping with his lyre placed behind his right foot, and a cherub offers him a laurel branch. Aphrodite sits on clouds, and a cherub offers her an arrow.

French

French limestone from the Ile de France region

(.1) Apollo: H: 76" W: 48" D: 28"
(.2) Aphrodite: H: 72" W: 48" D: 20"
Each on base approximately: H: 72" L: 60" D: 20"

Purchased by the Preservation Society of Newport County, 1962.

PSNC.1863.1 - .2