Aphrodite Of Melo Analysis

The Aphrodite of Melos better known as the Venus De Milo was excavated on the Cycladean island of Milos in 1820 and is one of the few sculptures that represent the Hellenistic period (Touchette). It is a sculpture that has a hidden mystery. It is currently uncertain who created this sculpture and really whom the sculpture portrays. Some scholars believed that the sculpture illustrated the Greek Goddess Aphrodite, but others theorized that there was a possibility of it representing the Goddess of Artemis depending on what she was holding on her hand (Luca). Due to the impairment of the sculpture, precisely the absence of her arms, the sculpture provides little or less clues of whom it could be portraying. The indications that exist do advocate …show more content…
With our limited resources we are only left to put the hidden pieces together with our theories and provide an adequate guess of who the face of the Aphrodite of Melos could possibly be. The statue of Aphrodite of Melos dates back between 150-50 B.C., which represents one of the earliest and best-documented examples of the Hellenistic emulation and transformation of classical art. The sculpture is approximately 6’10” statue made of Parian marble that praises the Hellenistic period and style (Luca). By looking at the statue, we do not think of much but beauty. Aphrodite of Melos stands on one side of her body. The lower limbs of her body are clothed while her upper body is naked. By analyzing the head, it is noticeable to perceive the peaceful, calm look and to observe the highly detailed hair and cut features. Her hair is parted and is sculpted in flowing waves over the low forehead. It is seen that the statue’s eyes are not fully wide open and demonstrating to have a languid expression. The nose, mouth, and chin are molded in precise cut features. Scholars’ believe that the sculpture was carved from two blocks of Parian marble (Luca). On the statue there is a filled hole below her right breast that initially contained a metal tendon that would have sustained the right carved arm. It was believed that the statue was holding an apple in her hand …show more content…
I agree with the fundamentals of Kousser’s interpretation, and my determination in beginning with this piece is not to offer a substantially dissimilar analysis but rather to use this illustration to ascertain what is known about the Aphrodite of Melos. Kousser’s work is very much persuasive and informative in her reading. She notes in her journal of how the fragments are linked to the Aphrodite of Melos. She notes, “both fragments exhibit the remains of dowel holes, demonstrating that they were attached to the sculpture” (Kousser 2005). She backs up Furtwängler theory of how Aphrodite is indeed holding an apple in her palm by relating to the size and shape of the dowel hole of the arm. These finding provides substantial understanding of the huge possibilities of the sculpture holding an apple in her