I absolutely loved Venus of Willendorf. The detail and realistic look is amazing. She is a figure who we do not know much about, but is one of the oldest examples of prehistoric art discovered, therefore, making it important to study. Venus if Willendorf, being both female and nude, automatically puts her in a key position for art. But it there are so many unknowns about Venus of Willendorf, that it is almost frustrating to study, yet it is also one reason it is so fascinating. It really gets people to think about all the possibilities that this little figure could mean. And think about all the possibilities of what beauty was to the people at time she was carved.
Her name having Venus in it was something unexpected because of the extreme sexual appeal that typically goes with the name Venus. Learning it was derived from a mockery tone, it makes more sense. But also it is also undeserved mockery. She doesn’t fit our typical Venus Goddess, but she is beautiful none the less. Venus of Willendorf is nothing like the original Venus Goddess of sexual love and beauty in the physical appearance. The Goddess is modest, trying to cover her pubic area and breasts and making it more civilization friendly by coving her body, unlike Venus of Willendorf who has it all out there, who has a much less physically attractive appearance, and shows no signs of covering her body. It makes her look strong, unafraid, and confident with who she is. The Goddess is so petite, and seems uncertain of herself. Hiding her body just gives the message of being uncomfortable, and tentative.
This piece of art is beautiful and it is acceptable to have her name as Venus. Who knows what beauty was to this certain group of people, or perhaps to this individual artist. But with the lifelike and artistic beauty, the Venus Goddess and Venus of Willendorf are very similar. They are both very well done representations of real life women. But it is also good her name to sometimes be replaced with Woman of Willendorf because it takes the pre-existing expectations of Venus that we have as an society are taken away and they are not projected onto her. Thus, allowing an unbiased opinion to be made of her.
Venus of Willendorf is such a lifelike representation of an obese woman. And the fact that she had such flat arms, no feet or face very interesting. Also the significance in the hair; what exactly it is though. Was it just a cultural thing or possibly a sexual appeal. But who this woman was all together is very intriguing. The writer of the article made some interesting and possible suggestions. It seems like a perfect size for a child’s toy, but they detail seems to be too important. The possibility of a fertility idol seems probable because of the detail and care that went into her sexual organisms, including the detail that went into her hair. It makes me very curious as to whom she is, and what group of people created her.
Overall, respect is called for this little carved woman, and it is a beautiful piece of art. And the name Venus of Willendorf fits her just fine.
Good points, Crystal! I think you're right: we don't know if prehistoric people created this statue to be "beautiful." Who knows? Maybe the idea of "beauty" didn't exist back then. Or perhaps it did.
ReplyDeleteBut if people find the figurine beautiful today (by our own standards), then perhaps the "Venus" nickname is appropriate. I suppose we just need to be aware that our mindset and definition for beauty is different than that of prehistoric people.
-Prof. Bowen
I agree with your point about the name Venus being undeserved by Willendorf but at no fault of her own. She was clearly created before but discovered after an image of Venus was culturally established and she just doesn't fit. Not to say that hes is not a beautiful piece of history and art but put next to Capitoline Venus, she shrinks in comparison. We have the advantage of perspective through time but all rules of history and culture aside, Willendorf does not even compete. Woman of Willendorf fits just fine and clearly separates two distinct cultures and two distinct eras ans styles of art.
ReplyDeleteyes... just as a side note. I said the name fit her well, but the mockery tone that it started out from was undeserved.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the Venus of Willendorf appears as strong and confident as compared to the fragile, restrained “Venus” of the Greeks and the Romans.
ReplyDeleteI also think it is good, and probably more appropriate, to refer to her as the “woman” of Willendorf. Referring to her as woman instead of Venus removes the viewer’s projections of male constructed, idealized views of women in a patriarchal society and some of our own preconceived ideas about women. It is difficult to completely rid ourselves of these preconceived ideas. We are still influenced by ideas about women, physical beauty, and body image within our own contemporary culture. We bring those concepts along with us when viewing the Venus of Willendorf, thus making it a challenge for us to view her objectively. Even so, referring to her as “woman” leaves the viewer more open to more than one way to view and understand the possible meanings of the Venus of Willendorf.