Venus de Milo and Swindon College

The Victorian plaster cast would originally have been used in the drawing studios of the School of Art along with numerous other similar artifacts (now lost). The tradition at the time being to draw from classical sculpture as opposed to from life. Venus probably survived because of her size, although in the move from Regent Circus to Euclid street the then site manager had wanted to 'skip it'!

Over the years Venus has become the figure head of the School of Art and is widely travelled. Having originally resided in the Victoria road building in 1895, being moved to the 6th floor of Regent Circus in the 1960's, to Euclid street in the 90's and back to Victoria road at the turn of the century prior to her current resting place at the North Star campus. Her furthest outing was on loan to Leeds School of Art for their 150th anniversary celebrations.

Venus will be on display (in full colour) at Isambard House, Swindon for the 2014 final year students exhibition. She will then return to North Star, be restored to her original matt white finish and once again stand at the entrance to the School of Art.