Venus de Milo: The 2,000-year-old beauty
She is probably the most famous female portrait from antiquity and symbolises female beauty like no other: the Venus de Milo. The statue has been housed in the Louvre in Paris since the end of the 19th century and, along with the "Mona Lisa", is the big crowd puller of the museum. She represents the goddess of love and beauty and thus one of the most important figures in ancient mythology - both Greek, in which she is called "Aphrodite", and Roman, in which she is called "Venus". Around 2000 years after its creation and 200 years after its discovery, the Venus de Milo is now considered one of the greatest art treasures in history.
The Venus de Milo - Masterpiece of Hellenistic Sculpture
The Venus de Milo probably dates between 130 and 100 BC and is often cited as an example of Hellenistic sculpture. She measures 2.02 metres, probably towering over most people, but what is considerably striking is her unusual posture: Her left knee is placed forward, her hip slightly pushed to the right, and her upper body leaning slightly to the back. This slight rotation in the body axis as well as the missing arms give the Venus de Milo her now widely known and unmistakable silhouette.
At the time of its production - especially when it was undamaged - the Venus de Milo was probably not extremely eye-catching because its design follows some very widespread patterns for sculptures in the Hellenistic period. In this epoch, sculptors did not create individualised and lifelike images of their motifs but worked for the most part according to standardised and usually idealised prototypes. The Venus de Milo's physique also corresponds to the ideals of beauty common in antiquity. It was a widespread standard to make the statues as anatomically correct as possible but to keep the head quite small compared to the rest of the torso.
Moreover, it cannot be completely excluded that the Venus was not originally white but was painted in colour - as it was common for many sculptures of antiquity, according to recent research results. The Venus de Milo is, therefore, unlikely to have been particularly unique or to have corresponded in its original state to the picture with which we are familiar. However, this does not alter her great charisma, full of grace and sensuality, which has been preserved to this day - quite appropriate for a goddess of beauty.
The Venus de Milo Still Raises Many Questions Today
What is so fascinating about the Venus de Milo which makes millions of visitors stream into the Louvre every year to see it? For one thing, it radiates a special aura due to its 2000-year history. Secondly, if you believe the legend, you are looking at nothing less than the image of a real goddess. Irrespective of this, the larger-than-life white figure is a highly imposing and, at the same time, very aesthetic appearance, which testifies to extraordinary craftsmanship.
But perhaps the popularity of the Venus de Milo is based on everything that cannot be seen - and on the many secrets that surround her: The statue's name already conceals a small inconsistency. It was found on the Greek island of Melos, so - if you follow Greek mythology - it should actually have been called Aphrodite. Nevertheless, "Venus" has prevailed.
In any case, there are few solid facts about the famous Venus de Milo statue, which leaves a lot of room for speculation and the creation of legends. There is neither reliable information about the sculptor nor about the year in which it was created. Ultimately, it is even unclear whether the figure depicted is actually Venus or Aphrodite. The goddess of the hunt, Artemis, the nymph Amphitrite or the goddess of victory, Victoria, were also mentioned from time to time as possible representatives.
The Missing Hands and Arms of the Venus de Milo Offer the Most Room for Speculation
These are said to have been lost when the statue was transported from Greece to France. But what did they originally look like? There are various assumptions about what Venus might have held in her hands. Some assume that she carried a shield, while others speak of an apple as a symbol of victory. All these questions have been waiting for an answer for decades - most likely without ever receiving answers.
But this does not diminish the popularity of the Venus de Milo. On the contrary: a little mysterious flair only ensures that the public's imagination is continually stimulated and interest in the ancient beauty never wanes.
How The Venus de Milo Ended Up in The Louvre in Paris
After some 200 years, numerous legends tell of the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the Venus de Milo and its journey to the Louvre. However, nowadays it is difficult to say with certainty which of them is true.
There seems to be agreement at least about the date on which the story of the Venus de Milo began. It is said that on 8 April 1820, a farmer - his name is usually given as Yorgos Kentrotas - was searching for building materials in the ruins of a gymnasium on the Greek island of Melos. During his excavations, he came across the well-preserved fragments of the Greek statue. Several versions, some of which contradict each other, circulate about what happened afterwards.
A French Marine Is Said to Have Played an Important Role
He is said to have observed the farmer during his discovery and even encouraged him to uncover the statue. The soldier is also said to have shown interest in acquiring the find, but in the meantime, the Venus de Milo is said to have fallen into the hands of Turkish soldiers. Some sources now say that the Turks sold the statue to the French, while others believe that the French simply stole it. There are also rumours of violent clashes between the two parties. The fact is that the statue was finally brought to Paris, restored there, and, at the request of King Louis XVIII, found its place in the Louvre.
The Venus de Milo With Drawers and Prostheses
In the 20th and 21st centuries, the Venus de Milo continues to appear regularly in culture, science, and society. In particular, visual artists often use her for their paintings and sculptures.
One of the most famous examples is "Vénus de milo aux tiroirs" by Salvador Dalí. In this particularly bizarre interpretation, the legendary surrealist built several drawers into a replica of the ancient sculpture. Even the Venus de Milo was once replicated (almost in its original size) out of Lego bricks. But especially in arts and crafts, the Venus de Milo is a very popular motif for sculpture reproductions. Both as a reduction for the living room and almost to scale as a garden sculpture, she is likely to be found in countless households.
The Venus de Milo Has Left Its Mark Not Only in the Visual Arts
References to the famous statue can also be found in other cultural areas. For example, Prince wrote a song entitled "Venus de Milo", as did Miles Davis. Even in fiction and scientific literature, authors repeatedly deal with both the poetic and the historical side of the Venus de Milo.
The Venus de Milo Can Also Be Found in the Headlines Outside the Cultural Sector
In 2018, for example, the organisation "Handicap International" used the Venus de Milo's fame for a remarkable campaign. To draw attention to the fate and problems of prosthesis wearers, especially in developing and crisis countries, it placed a replica of the Venus with prosthetic arms in the metro station at the Louvre. This Venus de Milo with arms caused a sensation far beyond the borders of France.
The Venus de Milo has also recently returned to the political spotlight. After many decades, the mayor of Melos demanded the return of the statue from France. He has not yet been successful with his request but since the legal situation is unclear and the discussion about the restitution of cultural heritage has been reignited for several years, the last word may not yet have been spoken in this case either.