Vienna Art Choice: Venus of Willendorf

For my Vienna Art Choice, I chose to do the Venus of Willendorf. A small figurine, located in the Natural History museum in Vienna. She’s less than 6 inches tall and is a yellow/orange color. According to the Natural History museum’s website, the little figure is about 29,500-year-old and is from the Paleolithic Age. She was found in an archeological dig in Willendorf in Wachau, Lower Austria in 1908 by Josef Bayer. The website says that it is carved out of limestone and was originally tinted with red chalk. The figurine depicts a woman with her head bowed, her arms resting a top of her heavy breasts and abdomen.

 

I believe the Venus of Willendorf is important to history because it is a representation of what the people of the paleolithic period would create. It is a symbol of fertility and femininity. The little figurine has very exaggerated features with her wide hips, belly and weighty breasts. Maybe the people at that time thought that being in possession of such a figurine would bless their marriage with many children. It also reflects the tools and materials available during this time period. It is small and very detailed showing a lot of dexterity needed to carve it.

 

I feel that the Venus of Willendorf contributes to Vienna being one of the great cultural capitals of the world because it is one of the oldest venus figurines in existence. It contributes to the special qualities of Vienna and the Museum of Natural History that make the city a cultural capital. This artwork also demonstrates prehistoric art and history. Its presence here in Vienna proves that Austria holds great value in art, culture and history. People want to come to this city to go to its great museums and see amazing pieces like the Venus of Willendorf, that they can’t see anywhere else in the world.