Venus Visits DC

We are making headlines this week as DC signs an agreement (5 years in the making) with Rome to become official "sister cities". This is of interest to us because it means we get to share in the delights of rich Roman history and art as pieces of their culture float on over to ours.

Particularly exciting is a piece that's visiting us now through September. The Capitoline Venus, a famed statue of Aphrodite/Venus is currently presiding at the National Gallery of Art in the rotunda of the west building. The statue is famous for being stolen by Napoleon in in 1797 and returning 19 years later. Originally found beneath a garden in the 1670's, she's one of the most well preserved Roman deity statues on display today. Its also the statue's very first voyage across the Atlantic.

I'd be sure to plan a trip out to the NGA while you can. Maybe leave a secret offering beneath the statue, whisper her a prayer, or simply bask in the presence of the Lady of Love. After all, who couldn't use a little more love?