Ten-Minute Art School Course Venus of Willendorf Also known as the Woman of Willendorf, the Venus is an 11.1 cm high statuette of a plump female figure. It was discovered in 1908 by archaeologist Josef Szombathy at a paleolithic site near Willendorf, a village in Lower Austria near the city of Krems. It is carved from a limestone that is not local to the area, and tinted with red ochre. Since the discovery and naming, several similar statuettes and other forms of art have been discovered. They are collectively referred to as Venus figurines. In 1990 a new analysis estimated it to have been carved between 24,000 and 22,000 BC. Very little is known about its origin, method of creation or cultural significance, but there is plenty of theories. The Venus is not a realistic portrait but rather a crude version of the female figure. Her vulva, breasts, and swollen belly are very pronounced, suggesting a strong connection to fertility or pregnancy. Her tiny arms are folded over her breasts, and she has no visible face, her head being covered with circular horizontal bands of what might be rows of plaited hair or a kind of headdress. The lack of a face has prompted some archaeologists and philosophers to view the Venus as an Mother Goddess. “The ironic identification of these figurines as ‘Venus’ pleasantly satisfied certain assumptions at the time about the primitive, about women, and about taste.” - Christopher Witcombe. The statue’s feet don’t allow it to stand on its own. Due to this it has been speculated that it was meant to be held, rather than simply looked at. The purpose of the carving is subject to much speculation. Theories include: A doll; a holy fertility symbol; a portrait; a teaching tool; and erotica. [via]

Ten-Minute Art School Course

Venus of Willendorf

Also known as the Woman of Willendorf, the Venus is an 11.1 cm high statuette of a plump female figure. It was discovered in 1908 by archaeologist Josef Szombathy at a paleolithic site near Willendorf, a village in Lower Austria near the city of Krems. It is carved from a limestone that is not local to the area, and tinted with red ochre. Since the discovery and naming, several similar statuettes and other forms of art have been discovered. They are collectively referred to as Venus figurines.

In 1990 a new analysis estimated it to have been carved between 24,000 and 22,000 BC. Very little is known about its origin, method of creation or cultural significance, but there is plenty of theories.

The Venus is not a realistic portrait but rather a crude version of the female figure. Her vulva, breasts, and swollen belly are very pronounced, suggesting a strong connection to fertility or pregnancy. Her tiny arms are folded over her breasts, and she has no visible face, her head being covered with circular horizontal bands of what might be rows of plaited hair or a kind of headdress. The lack of a face has prompted some archaeologists and philosophers to view the Venus as an Mother Goddess.

“The ironic identification of these figurines as ‘Venus’ pleasantly satisfied certain assumptions at the time about the primitive, about women, and about taste.” - Christopher Witcombe.

The statue’s feet don’t allow it to stand on its own. Due to this it has been speculated that it was meant to be held, rather than simply looked at. The purpose of the carving is subject to much speculation.

Theories include: A doll; a holy fertility symbol; a portrait; a teaching tool; and erotica.

[via]

  1. bbwlove-2020 reblogged this from beyondneptune
  2. coopsypoopsy reblogged this from kelseyyrose and added:
    ^^^^^ what she said. I absolutely love this little piece!
  3. kelseyyrose reblogged this from beyondneptune and added:
    This little lady...in my first ever art history course my Freshman year
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