Venus of Willendorf
The Venus of Willendorf is one of the oldest pieces of
art in any form every found. It depicts a fat woman.
There are many theories about the piece. They range from describing it
as a grotesquely exaggerated fertility symbol to a loving sculpture of the
little woman back home for a husband to carry while away hunting - which
might often keep the men away for extended periods of time.
A lot of women - of all shapes and sizes - have beheld this little sculpture
(of a comfortable size to fit in the palm of your hand) with affinity. I
see in it's shape the bodies of my female family members - a lot of large
women. I see it's shape mimicked in my mirror with a certain dignity that
I can not quite place my finger on.
Below you will find several different pics of the Venus - including modern
interpretations. Please feel free to comment to me. I have also some new
links on the venus and her peers.
Some animated surrounds of the entire statuette are
below. Remember, this sculpture will fit in the palm of your hand
- its very small.
Venus Movie in Quicktime
© Copyright: ORF-Archiv
Venus Movie that will show up in Winamp
© Copyright: ORF-Archiv
Quick and Informative Links
Women
in Prehistory: The Venus of Willendorf - informative,
if a bit sarcastic in areas...
Don
Hitchcock's Venus pages - nice pics
Pathetic
page of the Museum that actually owns the statue
Nice, brief
and informative page on Palaeolethic Portable Art
"Pre-History
to Present: The Feminine Ideal" an article that discusses the piece
from a modern perspective
