Annotation one
Venus De milo
(Aphrodite of Milos)
Fig.1. Aphrodite of Milos (150 b.c)
- Dates to the Greek Hellenistic period (323 b.c to 31 b.c) around 150 b.c
- Known to be a sculpture of Aphrodite (Venus in Roman art) who is often portrayed half naked, with feminine curves.
- Discovered in 1820 on the Island of Melos, Aegean Islands.
- Donated to the Louvre in 1821 by Louis XVIII.
- Carved from marble (Parian) A semi-translucent, pure white marble, quarried from the Greek island of Paros.
- Stands 6ft 8in high (slightly larger than life size)
- Boared holes show where metal jewellery would have originally been (earrings, bracelet, headband, arm band)
- Has a resemblance to the sculpture Aphrodite of Capoa
- Sculpture similar to that of sculptor Praxiteles (4th century b.c), delicate, angelic carving of the flesh, elongated body with small breasts, spiral composition with the twist of the shoulders through to the waist, hips and the bending of the right knee (S shape).
- Legs are held together, almost with an alluring coyness, as if to hold up the fallen drapery to protect her remaining modesty.
- Drapery falling over hips gives a sexual element to the sculpture, element of mystery underneath the almost completely fallen drapes.
- Known for the mystery of her missing arms - fragments of a left arm and separated hand holding an apple were found. Originally disregarded as part of the sculpture as were less “finished” in appearance. Additional pieces are now believed to be part of the statue - common practice to give rougher finish to less visible parts of the sculpture.
- Originally attributed to Praxiteles (as a way to gain more interest in the sculpture) However the original plinth is carved with the sculptor’s name, correctly attributing the piece to Alexandros of Antioch.
- Believed that carved right arm once rested across the torso, with the right hand resting on the raised knee. The left hand holding the apple. It is unknown whether she would have been looking at the apple in her hand, or into the distance.
- Would have had a coloured tint to give a more realistic appearance - no coloured pigment cant be seen in it’s current state.
- Contrasts in texture - smooth, angelic like skin and roughly folded drapery.
- Drapery creates dramatic shadows emphasising the pale toned skin.
Bibliography
Art Encyclopaedia. (s.d) Venus de Milo. At: http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/sculpture/venus-de-milo.htm (Accessed on 07.06.15)
Astier, Marie-Bénédicte. (s.d) Venus de Milo. At: http://www.louvre.fr/en/oeuvre-notices/aphrodite-known-venus-de-milo (Accessed on 06.06.15)
Britannica. (2015) Venus de Milo. At: http://www.britannica.com/topic/Venus-de-Milo (Accessed on 06.06.15)
Greeka.com. (s.d) Parian Marble. At: http://www.greeka.com/cyclades/paros/paros-products/parian-marble.htm (Accessed on 06.06.15)
Astier, Marie-Bénédicte. (s.d) Venus de Milo. At: http://www.louvre.fr/en/oeuvre-notices/aphrodite-known-venus-de-milo (Accessed on 06.06.15)
Britannica. (2015) Venus de Milo. At: http://www.britannica.com/topic/Venus-de-Milo (Accessed on 06.06.15)
Greeka.com. (s.d) Parian Marble. At: http://www.greeka.com/cyclades/paros/paros-products/parian-marble.htm (Accessed on 06.06.15)
Images
Figure 1. Aphrodite of Milos (150 b.c) [Sculpture]
At: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9c/MG-Paris-Aphrodite_of_Milos.jpg (Accessed on 06.06.15)
At: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9c/MG-Paris-Aphrodite_of_Milos.jpg (Accessed on 06.06.15)