A “Veiled Vestal Virgin”
November 23, 2009
“The statue is titled “A veiled Vestal Virgin” by Raffaelle Monti (1818-1881). It was commissioned by the sixth Duke of Devonshire on 18 October 1846 and the piece can be dated to 1847. From the time of its arrival from Milan, the statue appears to have been kept at Chiswick House. It was removed to Compton Place in 1892, and by 1901 it was in the Gallery at Compton Place. In 1999 it was removed to the Sculpture Gallery at Chatsworth where it featured in the recent Jane Austin film Pride and Prejudice.”
I became enamored with this sculpture after viewing it in the film Pride & Prejudice (one of my all time favorite movies) I never get tired of looking at this piece, it is to beautiful. I only hope that one day I may be lucky enough to obtain a replica for my own home.
Enjoy!
Photo & Description Credits: http://www.museum-replicas.com
I love this statue so much!! She is so very beautiful and serene. I would love to have a replica of her, however, the only one I can find is just the bust. Anyone has any suggestions?
its a lot of work for any sculptors to do today even with modern tools…but it can be done alabaster or limewood would be easier than the statuary white its carved in…its would take months…it took from october to april for Monti to make this
This is the most exquisite statue I’ve ever seen. How did he create that veil? It’s as if he sculpted the figure and then draped it with a textile veil. Incredible.
He actually sculpted into the face and sculpted only the creases in the veil. Visually, it looks like fabric, but in reality it’s only an optical illusion.
i saw this statue at chatsworth house where its displayed in a window alcove. i couldn’t stop looking at it its so beautiful. it made me really emotional. I’ve never seen a piece of art what has held my attention do much. a bust of the statue is available in the chatsworth gift shop.
I love this piece….such serene beauty. I would love to know where the person purchased or found even just the bust replica of this (mlegardeur@hotmail.com)…..
How is this even possible..!!
The most wonderful piece of art i’ve ever seen in my entire life.
I’m Speechless.
Is there ANYONE that tell me where to obtain a copy of this beautiful statue? PLEASE!!!!
I saw the original this weekend at Chatsworth House in Nottingham. It is absolutely stunning. As a sculptor myself I take my hat off to Raffaelle Monti who created it. I purchased a replica bust of it at the gift shop and my wife and I are delighed with it. Very reasonably priced too. http://www.chatsworth.org/shop-eat/shop-online
This is going to sound stupid but is the veil real cloth or is it plaster?
Neither, its either stone or marble. That’s what makes it such a masterpiece. The illusion is magnificent, a true work of art.