Famous Statue of the Greek Goddess of Love
Venus de Milo Statue
Perhaps one of the world's most famous classical statues is the armless Venus de Milo. Found at Melos in the Cyclades Islands in 1820, the statue stands 202cm (or 6' 6") tall. Being taller than the average human at the time, we can assume she is a Goddess, though not necessarily which one. In fact, the statue is of Greek origin and not of the Roman counterpart goddess Venus. She could be famous goddess of love, Aphrodite or Amphitrite, the local patron sea goddess.
It is generally assumed Venus de Milo is Aphrodite, wrought in what would have been a neo-classical style during the late Hellenistic period. Aphrodite is specifically the goddess of romantic (as opposed to motherly) love. Found along with the Venus de Milo statue was a hand holding an apple. It is thought Aphrodite may have been in a pose depicting the apple given to her by Paris of Troy. That Milos also meant "apple" in Greek lends credence to this theory.
The statue of Venus de Milo was found by a local peasant at the ruin of an ancient city. The sale of the statue's pieces was arranged by a French Naval Officer for the French Ambassador to Turkey. Brought to France, Venus de Milo quickly became famous, in part thanks to the promotional efforts of the French government, who had recently returned another "Venus" statue, looted during the Napoleonic Wars, to the Italian government.
Venus de Milo's sculptor is thought to have been an otherwise unknown (Alex)andros, son of Menides. There are only two drawings of the inscription plate that "mysteriously" disappeared when presented to King Louis XVIII of France in 1821 as a Classical period statue (480-400 BCE). The king then had the statue displayed in the Louvre, where it still remains.
Modern scholars have dated Venus de Milo to anywhere between 100 and 190 BCE from the characteristic style, composition and technology. Following customs of the day, the statue of Venus de Milo was most likely painted, garishly clothed and adorned with jewelry. The holes found on the statue are actually attachment spots for jewelry such as armbands and a crown. The back and distant parts of the statue (such as an outstretched hand) are not as finely wrought as those the viewer is supposed to focus upon.
Also, characteristic of the late Hellenistic period from 150-50 BCE are Venus de Milo's draped garments and stance. New to the era was the technique of crafting smaller blocks of marble and then assembling the statue when done. The trunk is of two pieces joined under the draping. The left limbs and the feet were also crafted separately.
Found abundantly in modern popular culture, Venus de Milo's handicapped form has become emblematic of the beauty of the ancient world and classical craftsmanship. The statue of Venus de Milo is one of the most recognized in the world.