#PaleolithicArt

[sliceoflife90]

The Venus of Willendorf

Exploring the Majestic Venus of Willendorf: A Paleolithic Masterpiece

The Venus of Willendorf, considered the most illustrious among the Paleolithic Venuses, is a statuette carved from oolitic limestone and adorned with red ochre paintings, standing at a height of 11 cm. Dated between 24,000 and 22,000 B.C., this iconic work of art is not native to the region where it was discovered but now reigns supreme in the Naturhistorisches Museum in Vienna.

Chronicle of an Extraordinary Discovery

In 1908, archaeologist Josef Szombathy discovered the Venus of Willendorf at an archaeological site near Willendorf in der Wachau, along the left bank of the Danube in Austria. The Paleolithic site underwent careful examination around 1990, allowing a reevaluation of previous estimates regarding the artwork's dating. Stratigraphic analysis indicated that the statuette was created between 25,000 and 26,000 years ago, a significant correction from earlier estimates that erroneously placed it between 10,000 B.C. and 32,000 B.C.

Sculptural Anatomy: Details and Vibrant Colors

The Venus of Willendorf, representing a nude female figure, rests her arms on her breasts. The most distinctive features are the rounded and ample forms, while facial features are deliberately left uncarved. The spherical head is covered with a hairstyle interpreted as a headdress of shells or a coiffure, perhaps reminiscent of the curly and frizzy hair typical of the African population.

The reddish clay surface, combined with the yellowish and porous limestone, creates a play of light and shadow that highlights the roughness of the surface. The underlying shadow emphasizes the abundant shapes of the figure, creating a suggestive chiaroscuro effect.

Symbolic Meaning: Fertility and Mother Earth Worship

The Venus of Willendorf, the precursor of prehistoric Venuses, is steeped in symbolism. These statuettes, usually ranging from 3 to 15 cm, often feature elongated legs and heads, perhaps suggesting the practice of embedding them in fields or among cave rocks, according to the customs of the time.

Accentuated sexual traits, such as monumental breasts, a prominent belly, and ample buttocks, are interpreted as symbols of fertility. The Venus of Willendorf, with its pronounced forms and attention to detail in sculpture, connects to the worship of Mother Earth and her ability to foster prosperity.

In conclusion, this statuette embodies the symbolism of an era where population growth was pivotal in elevating social status, emphasizing the primary importance of births in the construction of a civilization.

[ancientelegance]

The Hands, Watercolor collage on old book page inspired by prehistoric cave paintings. #collageart #analogcollage #handcutcollage #watercolorcollage #watercolorpainting #prehistoric #prehistoricart #cavepainting #paleolithicart #paleoart #archaeologylovers #archaeologyart #cuevadelasmanos #surrealistart #outsiderart #primitiveart #caveofhands #archaeologygifts #archaeologydecor #anthropology #outsiderartist #giftforarcheologist #archaeologyaesthetic #ancientelegance #abstractpainting #abatractart #watercolorart #watercolorartwork https://www.instagram.com/p/CIY08gXJ-mg/?igshid=w5gioeskh15r

[gmessy30]

Not a very good picture(s) of a moose in the falling snow. What struck me odd is the way it looks like a paleolithic cave painting. Perhaps it is the distance, or its posture (can that be a thing with meese?...well, apart from if they're named Edwin...), or just the angle. Perhaps it is actually microcephalic. Or bariatric (I know that's an improper use of the term, but paramedics use it colloquially like that, so why can't I?). #sonydschx400v #sonydsc #sonycybershot #SonyCameras #moose #nikiski #nikiskialaska #alaskaphotography #alaskawildlife #alaskawildlifephotography #cavepainting #paleolithicart #paleolithic #paleo they'll think it's supposed to be about eating the moose! #snowfall #mooseinthesnow #disproportionatemoose #queermoose #oddmoose #weirdmoose #edmeese #edwinmeese #meese (at Nikiski, Alaska) https://www.instagram.com/p/CV4md2bLDsd/?utm_medium=tumblr

[teadoodlesandoddends-blog]

">w<" 2019. Mixed media #art #artistsoninstagram #instaart #instartwork #traditionalart #traditionalartist #atlartist #watercolour #mixedmediaartist #paleolithicart #caveart #charcoaldrawing #socialcommentary #emojiart #sloth #cavepainting #pintura #surrealismo #surreal #forsale #cavepainting #rockart #hyenaart #hyena #pastoralart #contemporaryartist #contemporaryart https://www.instagram.com/p/BxftuECJGur/?igshid=1lzfmn1lt455r

[rexhenry]

constructed image prepared piano. john cage in providing a dance piece at the cornish school in seattle, he used a 'prepared piano' he first heard used by henry cowell. this took the form of imposing small foreign objects - nails, screws, feathers, hardware of various sorts - between the strings of a piano thus producing a hazy pichless percussive sound. from this he went on to produce his first significant prepared piano piece - another dance creation, bacchanale. lithophones, so called because they are believed to be early prehistoric 'instruments' for producing percussive sounds struck to produce musical notes leaving tell-tale cup marks. the most common is in the form of individual rocks that have good acoustic properties. these rock gongs are found around the world most frequently in africa, asia and north america but also in scotland and parts of europe, thought to be the residue of ceremonial activity, maybe in the form of dance where the production of percussive sound from hammering or drumming was required. this one is in tanzania. . . . #preparedpiano #modernmusic #percussivemusic #ancientmusic #paleolithicart #paleolithicmusic #ancientinstrument #moderninstruments #ancientandmodern #johncage #lithophones #dancemusic #ceremonialdance #ancientsounds #constructedimage. https://instagr.am/p/CMU4-aGrs9H/

[fluctibus]

[The Venus of Willendorf is s believed to have been carved during the European Upper Paleolithic, or "Old Stone Age", a period of prehistory starting around 30,000 BCE.] // 🦐 ~ #venus #venusofwillendorf #comicart #comicartwork #acrylicpainting #arte #fluctibus #munichart #ancientart #inspiration #paleolithicart #artreview #contemporarypainting #artsandscience #artcontemporain #artecontemporaneo (hier: Munich, Germany) https://www.instagram.com/p/BrGVqMOlJ2Q/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=cc5nb50vsztk

[cuervo-lobo-artesania]

Venus of Willendorf in deer antler, tiger eye, bone and leather. Made by @marina_lobo_negro . Venus de Willendorf en hueso de asta de ciervo, ojo de tigre, hueso y cuero. Realizado por @marina_lobo_negro . #cuervo_lobo_artesania #tallasartisticasmym #marinalobonegro #mikicuervo #greatmother #handmade #carving #deerantler #deerantlercarving #nature #willendorf #paleolithic #paleolithicjewelry #paleolithicart #paganism #wicca #witchery #witchythings #paganismo #art #handmade #handcraft #picoftheday https://www.instagram.com/p/BpRaWP3HkN2/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=bdo3i2rabjay

[dantesdivinekitchen]

Found this framed print of an Altamira cave painting for £3 at a charity shop! It goes beautifully on the brick fireplace. #altamira #altamiracave #cave #cavepaintings #paleo #paleolithicart #paleolithic #spain (at Costa del Burry Port)

[theartistsocial]

A quick look at Orgin https://t.co/TZ6Mhpo68x #PaleolithicArt #arthistory #history

A quick look at Orgin https://t.co/TZ6Mhpo68x #PaleolithicArt #arthistory #history

— The Artist (@TheArtistSocial) July 9, 2018

via Twitter https://twitter.com/TheArtistSocial July 10, 2018 at 01:35AM

[paleopantherastudiofoundry]

Going to try adding a description ONE MORE TIME. There are 12 exciting new designs coming in soon that will be destined for multi-component pieces, pins, earrings, and maybe a few other things. #paleo #paleolithic #paleolithicart #stoneage #arrowheads #bone #bones #vultureculture #bobcat #claws #fish #coelacanth #ancient #tooth #teeth #canine #coyote #carnassial #oak #oakleaf #leaves #axe #otzitheiceman #mothergoddess #goddess #strega #witch #mori #goth #pagan

[ancientelegance]

Venus of Willendrof on old book page. #venusofwillendorf #paleolithicgoddess #prehistoricart #paleolithicart #paleoart #paleoartist #prehispanicart #primitiveart #outsiderart #outsiderartist #inkpainting #shamanicart #archaeologyart #ancientelegance #surrealistart #anthropology #prehistorico #paleogoddess #neolithicart #neolithicgoddess #clayfigurine #fertilitygoddess #fertilitygifts #mothergoddess #prehistoricgoddess #ancientgoddess #mythologicalart #bodypositivityart #bookpageart #primitivegoddess https://www.instagram.com/p/CI0UMgmBJzr/?igshid=v47po0pigytm

[ancientelegance]

Shaman in trance under the full moon 🌑 #prehistoricart #paleolithicart #paleoart #paleoartist #prehispanicart #rockpainting #rockpaintings #rockpaintingart #cavepainting #cavepaintings #primitiveart #nativeart #outsiderart #outsiderartist #inkpainting #petroglyphs #petroglyph #tribaldecor #tribalart #trippyart #weirdart #shamanicart #archaeologyart #surrealistart #anthropology #shaman #spiritanimal #spiritanimaldeer #petroglyphart #prehistorico https://www.instagram.com/p/CIc4BvXBXkm/?igshid=k8nm1nf0i0by

[theartistsocial]

A quick look at Orgin https://t.co/TZ6Mhpo68x #PaleolithicArt #arthistory #history

A quick look at Orgin https://t.co/TZ6Mhpo68x #PaleolithicArt #arthistory #history

— The Artist (@TheArtistSocial) May 10, 2017

via Twitter https://twitter.com/TheArtistSocial May 11, 2017 at 01:35AM

[theartistsocial]

€ quick look at Orgin https://t.co/TZ6Mhpo68x #PaleolithicArt #arthistory #history

€ quick look at Orgin https://t.co/TZ6Mhpo68x #PaleolithicArt #arthistory #history

— The Artist (@TheArtistSocial) May 10, 2017

via Twitter https://twitter.com/TheArtistSocial May 11, 2017 at 01:35AM