The full-length figure in the statue of Paulina Borghese as Venus Victrix is one of the finest achievements of the Neoclassical style and a supreme masterpiece of Western art. A most intriguing juxtaposition of the real and the mythological. On the one hand, this marble portrait by Italian artist Antonio Canova represents a real person – Countess Paulina Bonaparte Borghese, the beautiful sister of Napoleon who was married to the Count.

On the other, this woman is also cast in the guise of Venus, the Roman goddess of love and beauty. She holds in her left hand the "Victorious Apple", the prize awarded by the city of Paris to the most beautiful woman, and her languid pose alludes to her triumphant role in Classical myth.

Paulina, widowed very young, had, in the wake of her brother's meteoric career, married one of the noblest catches it was possible at the time. Intelligent and beautiful, she had also kept her carefree and unprejudiced ways even as a princess. Her unconventional manner and erotic appeal had gained her public attention. She now expected from Canova a portrait that showed her, the princess and sister of Napoleon, physically naked.

To lessen the tricky nature of the commission, Canova proposed to show her as Diana, whom he could have clothed in a robe. However, she insisted on appearing as Venus, because this was a goddess who had to appear nude.

Antonio Canova executed this portait between 1805 and 1808, without the customary drapery of a person of high rank, transforming this historical figure into a Goddes of antiquity in a pose of classical tranquility and noble simplicity.

The result was a scandal, since it was considered inappropriate for royalty to pose in such manner. The Count's embarrassment is legendary, as he kept the sculpture locked away to be seen only by selected viewers. However, when the Count was away one could view the sculpture by bribing the servants.