Artist unknown / Venus Figure / about 20,000 B.C. (Paleolithic Era)

Artist unknown
Venus Figure
about 20,000 B.C. (Paleolithic Era)
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Creator Name: Unknown
Creator Nationality: European; French
Creator Role: Sculptor
Creator Name-CRT: Artist unknown
Title: Venus Figure
View: front
Creation Start Date: 0
Creation End Date: 0
Creation Date: about 20,000 B.C. (Paleolithic Era)
Object Type: Sculpture
Classification Term: Stone
Materials and Techniques: sandstone
Dimensions: H.5-1/4 x W.2-1/4 in.
AMICA Contributor: The Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Owner Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
ID Number: 72.10
Credit Line: The William Hood Dunwoody Fund
Rights: http://www.artsmia.org/restrictions.html
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.

AMICA ID: MIA_.72.10
Component Measured: overall
Measurement Unit: in
AMICA Library Year: 1999
Media Metadata Rights: ?The Minneapolis Institute of Arts

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