Venus de Milo

Venus de Milo, a famous Greek statue. It depicts Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of sexual love and physical beauty. It is a marble sculpture, 203 cm high. The sculpture dates back to about 130 BC, and is supposedly by Alexandros of Antioch. Antioch 安提俄克(古叙利亚首都,现土尔其南部城市)

In 1820 the sculpture was found on the Aegean island of Melos by a peasant named Yorgos. He hid it from the authorities but was later discovered by Turkish officials, who seized the sculpture. A French naval officer, Jules Dumont d'Urville recognized its significance and arranged for a purchase by the French ambassador to Turkey The Marquis de Riviere. After some reparing, the statue was presented to King Louis XVIII, who eventually presented it to the Louvre museum in Paris, where it is now.

Various replicas exists around the world. (you can purchase a replica on the internet)

There is no mistaking the classical elegance that has made the Venus statue one of the most common sculptures used in decorating today.

Whether known as Venus or her Greek name Aphrodite, she is the goddess of love, beauty, and fertility. She represents affection and the attraction that binds people together in marriage. Her beauty is said to have caused the Trojan War and she was pursued by every God.

In Greek Mythology, her son Eros is the God of love and sexual desire. Her Roman son, Cupid, is the messenger of Love.

"Venus de Milo"
Melos (the Cyclades islands)
Circa 100 BC
Marble
H 202 cm
Ma 399

In spite of lacking attributes, the size and the attitude of this statue allow its identification as a goddess: Aphrodite, often represented half nude, or Amphitrite, goddess of the sea, venerated on the island of Melos. The style is characteristic of the late Hellenistic period, which revives classical themes while innovating. Thus the slipping drapery on the hips entails a closed stance and introduces an instancy to the figure. It hides the joint between the two blocks of marble that were sculpted separately, as were the left arm and leg, according to an utterly new technique.