#venusofwillendorf

[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.

[thearchaeologiststeacup]

Happy International Women's Day! . Some of the most well known women from the past are the famous "Venus Figurines" that are found all over the world from as far back as the Paleolithic. The exact significance of these figurines is still a matter of discussion, as is the appropriateness of the name itself, and whether all of these beautifully diverse figurines should be lumped into one typological category. . If you're interested in learning more about those figurines depicted in this post, check out the past #TeaDay reels (also shared in stories!). Left to right: Venus of Brassempouy, Venus of Dolní Věstonice, Orkney Venus, Venus of Willendorf. . What's your favourite (pre)historic depiction of women? . #InternationalWomensDay #VenusFigurine #Venus #VenusOfWillendorf #VenusOfDolniVestonice #WestrayWife #OrkneyVenus #WomenOfPrehistory #WomenOfThePast #FemalePower #archaeologist #ArchaeologyLovers #ArchaeologyLife #prehistoric #prehistory #ArchaeologistsOfInstagram https://www.instagram.com/p/Cph3W4aqq_k/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[urbanunkindness]

These little details in my collages, such as that #VenusOfWillendorf are special treats for the attentive, or those who get to see the works printed large. The venus is there to say the women there are every woman since people started making pictures of women. Whatever the reason. I couldn’t stay away from pointing that one out. A big punishment would be like, “Hey Griffin, pick your best 10 of all your collages.” I think i’d be in ‘a situation’ there! (at Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpPP8UdL92j/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[isoldedollsandpuppetry]

Goddess with newborn baby, early 2022. White earthenware with slip and glazes, baby unglazed with a glazed glassy red mouth to give contrast in texture. A red cord will attach the baby to the mother, bringing my other love, textiles, into my work.

[beadsofparadisenyc]

How could you not love our gold dusted resin reproductions of the famous Venus of Willendorf figure made somewhere between 28,000 and 25,000 BCE?  The larger size stands ( 4 1/2" tall) and the small (2 1/4" tall) has a hole so you can make it into a pendant. Both are online so you can see both sizes and all of their colors! Click the tags to shop these lovelies online! #venusofwillendorf #venusdewillendorf #goddess #divinefeminine #venusfigurine #ancient #resinvenusstatue #venusjewelry #venusofwillendorfpendant #venusofwillendorfjewelry #internationalwomensday #colorful #jewelry #pendant #goddessjewelry #fertility #shop #nyc #unionsquare #beadsofparadise (at Beads of Paradise NYC) https://www.instagram.com/p/CMLTSn-hrqv/?igshid=1pm9zn8m4crjq

[religions-of-the-world]

#venusofwillendorf #paganism #europeanpaganism #worldreligions https://www.instagram.com/p/B-u66_wHuiz/?igshid=1tng10g6qbg4h

[paintmyworldrainbow]

Goddesses repeat print available through Spoonflower. 💜

[gafatal]

"Venus of Willendorf Peor" by Tatu Peor on INPRNT

[robinha]

Something fun I’m working on. #magical #greetingcards series called #handdrawnspells! I wanted to experiment with simple #blackandwhite #linoliumprint #cutout look. #originalgoddess #OG #venusofwillendorf #snakes #yinyang #koifish #zen #water #spirituality #moon #goddess #ankh #egyptian #symbol #life #beetle #ka #lotus #chakras #thirdeye #fish #water #feminine #evileye #voodoo https://www.instagram.com/p/B6MXdHKBvYF/?igshid=zqckw9lqwmak

[conorwaltonpainter]

'Ceci n'est pas une Blague' oil on linen, 60 x 76cm, 2014 #cecinestpasuneblague #cecinestpasunepipe #stilllife #vanitas #allegory #conorwalton #artoftheday #artistsofinstagram #instaart #merdadartista #michelangelosdavid #picasso #mondrian #dali #venusofwillendorf #giovannidipaolo https://www.instagram.com/p/B0loY0PoPZm/?igshid=1ked9hi10zzap

[theabundantyogini]

#Repost @with_this_body with @get_repost ・・・ Continuing some reposts from 2018 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “Fat people are a fact of life, part of the fabric of humanity. There is evidence that we have existed for many thousands of years. We are here. There are many who would prefer fat people not to exist, but we are here regardless of whether or not we are allowed or supposed to be here. Fat people are as valuable as anyone else and our existence reveals important things about how societies operate.” -Dr. Charlotte Cooper #VenusOfWillendorf #FatActivism #FavsOf2018 #2018Favorites https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs9b1E9jJ0_/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=u6zkf0md23q4

[doctorwormandtheelectricmayhem]

Pocket still life from day one of parent teacher conferences #venusofwillendorf #ceramic #stoneware #pitfiring #burtsbees #myneighbortotoro #totoro #pocketstilllife 🌸✨🌳 I’ve been stressing about this for over a month and I’m SO happy to be done day one. I’m dehydrated and didn’t eat enough (I’m the example of how NOT to do self care) and I’m suffering a SERIOUS adrenaline crash. https://www.instagram.com/p/BqYlqdhlqZ8TMmznPnEe3hO6rK7K5KViMQ5Ux40/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=kh58ntn7v0ah

[dodobird1989]

@culteyedesigns hand printed stickers #venusofwillendorf #illuminati #stampcarving #archaeopteryx #ufo #stickers #printing #dodo #lowbrow #lowbrowart #orlandoartist #orlandoart #orlando #killmeiliveinflorida #lemire #jameslemire #jamesplemire (at University of Central Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bn7pOXIBbFY/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ck4ay2743c

[moonwitchmagicketsy]

NEW! Fertility Spell: Venus of Willendorf Candle kit GET YOURS HERE⬇️ https://www.etsy.com/listing/1184200746/fertility-spell-venus-of-willendorf?ref=shop_home_active_8 #fertilityspell #venusofwillendorf #magick #magic #witchcraft #witchtok #witcgesofinstagram #etsy #smallbusinessowner https://www.instagram.com/p/CbMYnzVunZv/?utm_medium=tumblr

[dragonstarart]

Inktober day 11! Another fanged mushroom and a bonus scribbly drawing of the Venus of Willendorf. My art history classes would always project it at an enormous size but when you see it in person, it's so tiny! #inktober2018 #inktober #inktober2018day11 #venusofwillendorf #venus #mushrooms #inkdrawing #dragonstarart https://www.instagram.com/p/BozwxqOAVz_/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=xj9nxbxq5yf4

[edefmusicology]

Venere di Willendorf #venerediwillendorf #austria #vienna #wien #vienna_city #visitvienna #venusofwillendorf #venus #paleolithic #willendorf #loweraustria #krems #naturhistorischesmuseum #oldstone #szombathy #archeologia #archeology (at NhM Naturhistorisches Museum Wien)