The Veiled Venus (1900)

The Veiled Venus is an erotic bronze sculpture proudly displayed at Leeds Art Gallery and was made by Beveridge and Von Wrde in 1900. It seems to mark the cultural transition from strict, Victorian ideas of decorum to racy Edwardian loucheness. Those unfamiliar with the work, and are dependent on my sole photograph, above, may not appreciate the naked body attached to that head. The face is veiled, but the rest is exposed. Many a gentleman and school boy will have gained titillation from this piece, smiling at the joke that the veil hides the part that may be properly seen while that which should be hidden is openly displayed. Britain’s descent into moral vacuum can be traced to this period.

Like The Veiled Venus, we fallen humans advertise what should be hidden (our good deeds and virtues) while papering over our faults and defects. The gospel exposes both: the former as a sham and the latter a dreadful, though underestimated, reality. We need large quantities of mercy and grace, for one day we shall appear before the Almighty Judge, naked and trembling. Today, Jesus Christ offers us His righteous robes, a covering for our shame.

So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. Revelation 3:17-18

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