Post #2 The Venus of Willendorf

After reading the online article about the Venus of Willendorf I found the statue itself very strange and interesting, but the theories and speculations as to why it was created even more so. The figurine is relatively small and very detailed in places, such as the hair, breasts and pubic area. While other parts, such as the face, arms and lack of feet are left anonymous, simple, or left out completely. It is clear at a glance the the "Venus" is obese due to her large hanging stomach and equally large breasts. This was one of the more interesting inquires in the article, I thought, about why she would depicted in that image?. Perhaps, if the carving was done by a male, this image of a woman was not only ideal sexually but even more so for motherhood. In a time when nutrition and water may be scarce, a woman as ample as "Venus" may be healthy and supple enough to properly nourish a growing baby in the womb and feed it after birth, even in hard times. Due to the realistic detail included in the sag of her belly, the hang of her breasts or the overlap on her legs, it was suggested in the article that the artist had a model to work from. How does a woman in prehistoric times manage to gain a body like that? Perhaps the model for "Venus" was the head of a tribe or clan, maybe not the solely, but as a group of women who were catered to and had all they're needs met. The fascinating thing about this figure is that very little is factually known about her. On its own "Venus" stands as an amazing find and wonderful piece of prehistoric art, but on the other side she gives a glimpse of ancient culture and raises so many questions and inquiries about the history of people.
    The article goes into much detail about the name Venus and how the Venus of Willendorf just doesn't quite make the cut as one. The name Venus means love or sexual desire, something that cannot be denied to Ms. Willendorf. However, due to the Greek and Roman culture created after Willendorf was carved, but before she was discovered, the idea of Venus was already set. The Venus of the Greek's was a sexually attractive woman but modest with exposing her body, covering her genital area and partially her breasts. This is said to be tasteful and ladylike, two notions that come from civilization. Due to Willendorf's lack of civility and her full exposure of all parts of her body, it is clear that she is female but not that she is feminine in the sense we know today. The name has been changed in some places to become the Woman of Willendorf, partly because of the sex/gender conflict and also to avoid the clashing of images already associated with Venus. As the perception of beauty changed throughout time, culturally people began to favor the Greek version or Venus over what Willendorf  presented, and the two could not exist under the same title. The word "woman" is said to make her more human and less attached to the goddess image of "Venus". I tend to agree with the term change, not to any fault of Willendorf, but because of how well established the identity of Venus is in modern culture, and she doesn't really fit. I find Willendorf much more primal and sexually charged, mostly because of the full exposure and attention to detail in her erotic areas but also because of her lack of detail in all other areas like her face or expression. Just as there is a distinction between uncivilized and civilized, there should be an equal distinction between what is beautiful, tasteful and appropriate in their art.