COLLECTION NAME:
The AMICA Library
Record
AMICA ID:
MIA_.72.10
AMICA Library Year:
1999
Object Type:
Sculpture
Creator Name:
Unknown
Creator Nationality:
European; French
Creator Role:
sculptor
Creator Name-CRT:
artist unknown
Title:
Venus Figure
View:
Front
Creation Date:
about 20,000 B.C. (Paleolithic Era)
Creation Start Date:
0
Creation End Date:
0
Materials and Techniques:
sandstone
Classification Term:
stone
Dimensions:
H.5-1/4 x W.2-1/4 in.
Component Measured:
overall
Measurement Unit:
in
AMICA Contributor:
The Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Owner Location:
Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
ID Number:
72.10
Credit Line:
The William Hood Dunwoody Fund
Context:
Small prehistoric female figurines dating to the time period known as the Paleolithic Age have been found across Europe. Emphasis placed on the breasts, abdomen and hips of the nude figures earned them the name Venus, after the Roman goddess of love and fertility.
This figure's small size and lack of a base suggest that it was a ritual object and may have been regarded as possessing magical power. Given the importance of survival through reproduction and securing a food supply, this Venus may have represented female fertility and the ability to bear children, and perhaps even success in hunting.
Related Image Identifier Link:
MIA_.9789c.tif
