Vénus de Quinipily
Ancient statue in Baud, Brittany, France / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Vénus de Quinipily (French pronunciation: [venys də kinipili], Breton: Ar groareg Houarn/Groah Hoart, English: The Iron Lady) is an ancient statue of uncertain origins, located southeast of Baud, Morbihan, Brittany, in north–western France. It is approximately 2.2 metres (7.2 ft) in height and carved from granite. The statue represents a naked woman and stands in front of a fountain on a 2.75 m high granite pedestal. The large basin beneath the statue is also carved out of a single granite block. It is believed that the statue may be of Greek, Roman or Egyptian origin. There is similar uncertainty about its subject; it may be a Celtic deity, the Roman Mother goddess Cybele, or an Egyptian Isis statue.
Vénus de Quinipily | |
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Native names Breton: Ar groareg Houarn Breton: Groah Hoart | |
The statue of Vénus de Quinipily | |
Location | The Gardens of Vénus de Quinipily, Baud, Morbihan |
Coordinates | 47°52′8″N 3°2′1″W |
Height | 2.20 meters (7 ft 3 in) |
Built | circa 49 BC |
Demolished | 1661, 1670 |
Rebuilt | 1701 |
Restored | 1664, 1695 |
Restored by | 1664 (local peasants and devotees), 1695 (Pierre de Lannion) |
Governing body | Monument historique, France |
Owner | Privately owned |
Type | Sculpture |
Criteria | MH43 |
Designated | 18 November 1943 |
Reference no. | PA00091021 |
Country | France |
Region | Baud, Morbihan |
It was originally erected at the site of a former Roman camp in Castennec in Bieuzy-les-Eaux, a commune in the Morbihan department in Brittany. It was the centre of superstitious rites in Brittany for centuries and became an object of a pagan veneration. At the request of the Bishop of Vannes, the statue was thrown into the Blavet river twice; first in 1661 and then again in 1670, but recovered both times, first in 1664 and then in 1695 by Pierre de Lannion, the Lord of Blavet Quinipily. In 1701, the statue was substantially altered and placed in its present position at Quinipily where a garden has been created to showpiece the ancient monument.
The statue is classified under Monument historique – a National Heritage Site of France on August 24, 1993. The heritage protection was made applicable from November 18, 1943. It is indexed in the Base Mérimée – a database of architectural heritage maintained by the French Ministry of Culture.