Felix Austin Crouching Venus 

‘Who’s this?’ asked Jane.
‘Venus. She is the goddess of gardens, and of love. The cast was made by Felix Austin in Coade stone. It’s a twice-fired stoneware invented by Mrs Coade. She keeps the formula secret. Her workshop is in Lambeth and his workshop is near Regent’s Park.’ Venus was seen against a background of brilliantly coloured flowers, apparently paying homage to the goddess.’ This is a quote from The Claudians: gardens, landscapes, reason and faith: John Claudius Loudon and Claudius Buchanan, Tom Turner (Kindle, 2024). 

The Artistry Behind Felix Austin’s Crouching Venus Sculpture

The Crouching Venus is a Hellenistic model of Venus surprised at her bath. Venus crouches with her right knee close to the ground, turns her head to the right and, in most versions, reaches her right arm over to her left shoulder to cover her breasts.[1] To judge by the number of copies that have been excavated on Roman sites in Italy and France, this variant on Venus seems to have been popular.

The original Crouching Venus (also known as Venus Pudica or Venus at the Bath) is a Hellenistic sculpture that is traditionally attributed to the ancient Greek sculptor Doidalsas (or Daedalsas) who lived in the 3rd century BCE. The sculpture depicts the goddess Venus (Aphrodite in Greek mythology) in a modest pose, crouching as if surprised while bathing. The original bronze sculpture by Doidalsas has not survived, but the work was popular in antiquity and was reproduced in various copies, particularly in marble. The most famous of these copies is a Roman marble version, which is now housed in the Louvre Museum in Paris.

The cast of the Crouching Venus that John Claudius Loudon placed in his back garden was made by made by Felix Austin in Coade stone. Felix Austin was a notable bronze founder and casting artist active in London during the early 19th century, particularly in the 1820s. His work primarily involved producing architectural fittings, ornaments, and statuary, and he became known for his skill in casting in bronze. However, detailed information about the specific operations of his casting studio is somewhat limited, and much of what is known comes from the pieces he produced and the collaborations he engaged in. Felix Austin collaborated with Coade's Lithodipyra Manufactory, which was the main producer of Coade stone.

Felix Austin and the Enduring Legacy of Hellenistic Art

Felix Austin's Crouching Venus reflects a broader revival of classical art during the 19th century. Inspired by the Hellenistic original, Austin's work echoes the ancient sculptor Doidalsas’s attention to grace and modesty. This choice also underscores the era's fascination with antiquity, as artisans like Austin and Mrs. Coade revived traditional methods, like the creation of Coade stone, to replicate ancient styles. The enduring popularity of such pieces highlights the lasting impact of Hellenistic aesthetics on Western art and culture, making the Crouching Venus a symbol of this classical renaissance.