Introduction
Works of art are subject to discussions about the meaning the artists put in them. However, old artifacts present an additional side for analysis as they provide insight into how people lived in that period of time. When it comes to discussing what the life of a woman consisted of in the prehistoric era, the most commonly consulted artworks are the Venus figurines of the upper Paleolithic period. These statuettes are “the oldest known representations of the human female form” as they were created circa 35,000–21,000 BCE (Dixson & Dixson, 2011, p. 1). Due to the limited knowledge of this time, there are many interpretations of what the Venus figurines represent. The purpose of this paper is to analyze these theories, particularly in relation to the Venus of Willendorf, which is the most frequently mentioned out of the statuettes.
Information on the Venus of Willendorf
The Venus of Willendorf is a statuette that is 4.5 inches tall and made out of limestone. It was found in modern Austria, at an excavation site near the city of Willendorf, and is currently displayed in the Museum of Natural History in Vienne. It is believed to have been created circa 28,000–25,000 BCE. The form of the Venus of Willendorf is consistent with that of other Venus figurines as the portrayed woman has an exaggerated figure with wide hips, bordering on obesity. Additionally, the statuettes have a small head and no face, feet, or arms.
The Significance of the Venus Figurines to European Cultures
Due to the fact that the exact purpose of the Venus figurines alludes to scientists, it is not clear what their definite significance was to European Paleolithic culture. However, due to the particularities of their forms, the large area where they were found, and the sheer number of existing copies, they provide insight into what life looked like in the prehistoric era. The following subsections discuss the possible roles the figurines played in European Paleolithic culture and what significance they had for it.
Fertility Talismans
The Venus figurines predate the mythological figure for which they are named. However, the reason behind this connection is the fact that one of the functions of this Roman goddess is fertility. Many researchers have proposed that the exaggeration of the statuettes’ forms was used as a talisman for reproductive purposes. Additionally, this could explain the lack of feet that would allow this symbol to be pegged into the ground. However, it is notable to note that while most Venus figurines are female, historians have discovered ones that were either androgynous or decidedly male (Beck, 2000, p. 203). While this can put the validity of this theory into question, it can imply that men’s health was considered equally important for reproductive purposes.
Self-Portraits of Women
Another possible interpretation of the forms represented by the Venus figurines is relatively straightforward. Several researchers have proposed that women of that time looked this way. Alternatively, the form shared by the Venus figurines could have been considered the ideal female figure, which could still imply the importance of childbirth and health (Dixson & Dixson, 2011, p. 1). Another interesting interpretation is that the statuettes were self-portraits, and the exaggerated forms were a result of their ability to see their reflection. Additionally, this explanation could explain why all the figurines were faceless. This theory would imply that women of the time had enough free time and interest to create art.
Conclusion
It is challenging to analyze what works of art symbolize if they were created in a time period about which society knows very little. The Venus of Willendorf is a part of a larger collection of figurines that have exaggerated forms that could have several interpretations. However, the most popular theory states that these statuettes were either fertility talismans or depictions of an ideal woman, which can be connected to childbirth as well. It is fair to assume that during the prehistoric era, when the average life span was shorter than nowadays, the question of bearing children was essential.
References
Beck, M. (2000). Female figurines in the European Upper Paleolithic. In A.E. Rautman (Ed.), Reading the body: Representations and remains in the archaeological record (pp. 202-214). University of Pennsylvania Press
Dixson, A.F, & Dixson B.J. Venus figurines of the European Paleolithic: Symbols of fertility or attractiveness? Journal of Anthropology, 2011, 1-11.