One of the most enduring subjects for art through the ages is the female figure often identified as “Venus”. From the earliest times to the present day, the feminine form has intrigued and inspired artists through the ages. Venus of Willendorf is one of the earliest works of art ever discovered. Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus has remained a classic image of feminine beauty since its creation in the 15th century. For many Marilyn Monroe was the living breathing embodiment of the love goddess for the 20th century. When she died, Andy Warhol attempted to capture the mortal and immortal aspects of her glamour.
The female embodiment of fertility and desire inspired the artist who created the Venus of Willendorf. The artistic appreciation of what made this figure desirable it is necessary to look at the piece in the context of its era. This carving is old, at least twice, maybe three times as old as the cave paintings at Lascaux in France. At that time, slender, willowy women did not have a good survival rate. To make it through harsh winters and survive lean time a woman needed some meat on her bones, and the Venus of Willendorf has plenty of that. The artist sought to create the ultimate image of feminine beauty. The image is true to its time, but not one that I associate with desirability. .
Sandro Botticelli created his vision of The Birth of Venus around the year 1484 and it has been considered a compelling image ever since. It was inspired by Lucretius's Prayer to Venus that includes the words; “For you the ocean levels laugh, the sky is calmed and glows with diffused radiance.” Inspired by those words the Botticelli image of Venus by painting a scene where the sea and sky are calmed and the soft background tones accentuate the fair beauty of Venus. Sandro Botticelli’s painting of The Birth of Venus has been evoking reverence and desire for over 500 years, and is still considered one of the ultimate icons of womanly beauty to this day.
After her death in August 1962, Andy Warhol made over twenty prints based upon her publicity photo from the 1953 film “Niagara.” Marilyn Monroe was regarded by many as almost the living embodiment of the goddess Venus. With her passing, Warhol was driven to capture the essence of her beauty and almost mystic glamour in the color prints contrasted with the fading black and white images that conveyed her mortal passing. . For many his images were a complete success; for others the art piece left out too many nuances.
Each of these artists, from the unknown Paleolithic artist carving limestone with a flint blade over 40,000 years ago, to the Renaissance artist Botticelli, to Andy Warhol in the 1950s right up to the present day artists have been trying to capture the essence of womanly desirability and beauty. Each has added successfully to the body of work on the subject. However, the concept behind the subject is constantly changing. The Goddess of Love is not just a cultural icon; it is a highly personal part of each individual’s inner vision of immortal power. When artists are bold enough to attempt to capture it they seldom fail to move their patrons emotions, and they seldom succeed in bringing another’s inner image to full life.
Works Cited
Jones, Jonathan. "Botticelli's Birth of Venus breathes new life into an ancient religion." 2012. The Guardian. 2 4 2012
The Tate Gallery. "Marilyn Diptych." Tate. 2 4 2012
Witcombe, Christopher L.C.E. "The Venus of Willendorf." Art History Resources. 2 4 2012
