Woman From Willendorf

Woman From Willendorf is from Prehistoric times, specifically, the Upper Paleolithic Period, and dates back to about 24,000 BCE (Before Common Era). Another name for it is "Venus from Willendorf." Many figures of women from the Upper Paleolithic period are known as "venus"; it was changed so that it was not assumed that the figures represented fertility and goddesses, however it still could. This piece was found in Austria. It is made of limestone and is only 4 3/8 inches long! Therefore, it fits in your hand. In addition, the limestone was previously covered with red ocher, which is like a paint. It has been insinuated that the red ocher could have symbolized menstrual blood. A purpose for Woman From Willendorf could be that it was a good luck charm, or a reminder as a mate/female for the male hunters, who brought it along with them on their trips. On the head, there are seven concentric bands around it. This is significant because seven is considered a lucky number. However, a more likely explanation is that the figure depicted is a deity. This is further strengthened by the anonynmity of the face and the obesity of the figure. The size of this woman is important because it shows that the woman had more of a leisure life, and was able to get so large. As such, it could have been used as an object in a religious ceremony, a symbol of success and survival, or merely representing the sacredness of women. In sum, Woman From Willendorf symbolizes fertility and the importance of the reproductive female, and how they were worshipped in older times. Woman From Willendorf is one of my personal favorite pieces. This is because it uses natural dips and dings in the stone in order to form the piece. Also, it symbolizes how important women were considered in ancient times. While the artist is unknown, it was found by Joseph Szombathy in 1908, who named it. Currently, it resides in the Naturhistorisches Museum in Vienna. Society should pay more attention to pieces like Woman From Willendorf, because it will remind them of aspects of older societies that have been forgotten.


Sources:

Koeller, David (1999). Web Chron: The Web Chronology Project. Retrieved February 12, 2009, from Woman From Willendorf Web site: http://www.thenagain.info/webchron/World/Willendorf.html

Stokstad, Marilyn (2008). Art History: A View of the West. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall.

I am starting this blog in order to write articles on certain topics in art history that interest me. These will range from Paleolithic and Neolithic to Egyptian, Gothic, Contemporary art and so much more. The object of these articles are so that I may get experience and expertise in the field of art history. It will be good practice, for I am hoping to become a critic, when my college is completed. The length of the articles has yet to be determined, however, I plan on churning out an article a week, if I can manage it. Rather than focus on the genre, I will be covering individual works of art or the artist themselves. A great deal of the articles will be on pieces that I personally enjoy, however, I also will include pieces of a large historical significance, such as the Bayeaux Tapestery. It will be my pleasure to give my readers "the flavor" of art, and provide the truth behind the works, no matter how disturbing. This has been my art corner, providing you with the tARTzz that keep the world entertained by their beauty.