Venus of Willendorf

Infobox Artifact
name = Venus of Willendorf


material = Oolitic limestone
created = 24,000 BCE – 22,000 BCE
discovered = 1908 near Willendorf, by Josef Szombathy
location = Naturhistorisches Museum, Vienna, Austria

The Venus of Willendorf, also known as the Woman of Willendorf, is an 11.1 cm (4 3/8 inches) high statuette of a female figure estimated to have been created between 24,000 BCE – 22,000 BCE. 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 an oolitic limestone that is not local to the area, and tinted with red ochre.

Since this figure's discovery and naming, several similar statuettes and other forms of art have been discovered. They are collectively referred to as Venus figurines, even though they pre-date the mythological figure of Venus by millenia, and are not thought to be representations of any specific goddess(es).

History

As of 1990, following a revised analysis of the stratigraphy of its site, it has been estimated to have been carved 24,000–22,000 BC. [http://witcombe.sbc.edu/willendorf/willendorfdiscovery.html Venus of Willendorf] Christopher L. C. E. Witcombe, 2003.] Very little is known about its origin, method of creation, or cultural significance.

The Venus is not a realistic portrait but rather an idealization of the female figure. Her vulva, breasts, and swollen belly, are heavily pronounced, suggesting a strong connection to fertility. Her tiny arms are folded over her breasts. The figure has no visible feet, her head being covered with circular horizontal bands of what might be rows of plaited hair, or a type of headdress. [http://witcombe.sbc.edu/willendorf/willendorfwoman.html "Woman from Willendorf"] . Christopher L. C. E. Witcombe. 2003. "The rows are not one continuous spiral but are, in fact, composed in seven concentric horizontal bands that encircle the head."]

The nickname, urging a comparison to the classical image of "Venus," causes resistance in some modern analyses. According to Christopher Witcombe, "the ironic identification of these figurines as 'Venus' pleasantly satisfied certain assumptions at the time about the primitive, about women, and about taste". [http://witcombe.sbc.edu/willendorf/willendorfname.html "Name"] . Christopher L. C. E. Witcombe, 2003.]

The purpose of the carving is subject to much speculation. The statue's feet do not 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.

Catherine McCoid and LeRoy McDermott hypothesize that the figurines may have been created as self-portraits. [McDermott, LeRoy. " [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0011-3204%28199604%2937%3A2%3C227%3ASIUPFF%3E2.0.CO%3B2-X&size=LARGE&origin=JSTOR-enlargePage Self-Representation in Upper Paleolithic Female Figurines] ". Current Anthropology, Vol. 37, No. 2, April., 1996. pp. 227-275.] Other theorists believe that the head, seen from a profile view, while having no distinct facial features, appears to be looking down. The common physical characteristics of the Venus figures are: a thin upper torso, greatly exaggerated breasts, large buttocks and thighs, a large belly (possibly due to pregnancy), and oddly bent, short legs, that end with disproportionately small feet. Yet when thought of as a woman looking down at her own body, the physical features, in perspective, seem correct. There are striking similarities between such figurines and a pregnant woman when perceived from above.

"Venus of Willendorf" is part of the collection of the Naturhistorisches Museum in Vienna. [Witcombe, Christopher. [http://witcombe.sbc.edu/willendorf/ Venus of Willendorf] . Retrieved on January 18, 2008.]

Notes

See also

*Venus of Dolní Věstonice

External links

* [http://witcombe.sbc.edu/willendorf/ Christopher L. C. E. Witcombe, "Women in Prehistory:Venus of Willendorf"] .
* [http://donsmaps.com/willendorf.html Venus figures from the Stone Age - The Venus of Willendorf] , Don's Maps
* "The Invisible Sex: Uncovering the True Roles of Women in Prehistory" by J.M. Adovasio, Olga Soffer and Jake Page, ISBN 9780061170911, gives a new 'view' of "headdress" as possible model for weaving a basket; Laura Miller review at Salon.com: [http://salon.com/books/feature/2007/03/21/cavewoman/]