Introduction
The Venus of Willendorf has endured as one of the most recognizable artifacts of ancient art. Discovered along the bank of the Danube River in Austria, the Venus of Willendorf is proof that people at the time of its creation are capable of expressing themselves at an artistic sense. Yet, more than just a work of art, the Venus of Willendorf says much about the era within which it was made. This essay seeks to provide a brief yet concise account explaining the significance of the Venus of Willendorf, which owes much to the era of its creation.
Explaining the Significance of the Venus of Willendorf
An initial look at the Venus of Willendorf, which is dated at around 25,000 years old (Seymour), shows the image of the body of a woman, although typical proportions are not present. One may think of the Venus of Willendorf as a projection of a corpulent woman, given its enormous belly, large breast and huge thighs, albeit with disproportionally small arms. The lack of facial features is also a notable feature of the Venus of Willendorf, hence providing the idea that its creation is inspired more by the emphasis on the body. Thus, the Venus of Willendorf may have been created as a projection of desire by the people during the time of its creation – the Paleolithic Period, who may have thought of abundance of food and warmth as two ideal factors to their otherwise harsh conditions (Kettlewell; Seymour)
The Paleolithic Period is typically described as the last stretch of the ice age, which has heavily hit Europe. During the Paleolithic Period, people struggled for their survival due to starvation brought forth by lack of food from hunting and crops and freezing temperatures. Therefore, it has been ideal for people of the Paleolithic Period to thrive in conditions where food, warmth and fertility are abundant and thriving. The Venus of Willendorf, given its features, may have been inspired by those desires. It is difficult, however, to examine what the real purpose for the creation of the Venus of Willendorf is, as it is open to numerous interpretations (Seymour). One may think of the Venus of Willendorf as an object used for sexual stimulation, given that its creation may have been inspired by fatness as an ideal physical feature for women during the Paleolithic Period (Kettlewell). One may also see the Venus of Willendorf as merely a representation of the culture of people during the Paleolithic Period, which may perceive corpulent women as the most attractive (Soffer et al. 511-537). In any case, the Venus of Willendorf stands as a strong symbol of its era – a time when “features of fatness and fertility would have been highly desirable” (PBS).
Conclusion
Works Cited
Art History Abbreviated: Woman of Willendorf. Perf. Brian Seymour. Community College of Philadelphia, 2011. Video Lecture.
Kettlewell, James. “The Venus of Willendorf." Rethinking Classic Themes in Art History. n.d. James Kettlewell. 04 Oct. 2014. <http://www.jameskettlewell.com/willendorf.html>.
Soffer, O., Adovasio, J., & D. Hyland. "The ‘Venus’ Figurines: Textiles, Basketry, Gender, and Status in the Upper Paleolithic." Current Anthropology 41.4 (2000): 511-537. Print.
“Venus of Willendorf: Exaggerated Beauty." How Art Made the World. 22 Jun. 2006. PBS. 04 Oct. 2014. < http://www.pbs.org/howartmadetheworld/episodes/human/venus/>.
