Vénus de Milo (Aphrodite of Milos)
Sculpture, free-standing monumental statue • Alexandros of Antioch (attributed based on a now-lost inscribed plinth)
Style & Movement
Hellenistic Greek art, blending Classical serenity with the more dynamic 'S-curve' and dramatic spatial expression of later Hellenistic styles.
Medium & Technique
Parian marble; high-relief carving and assembly of several marble blocks with metal dowels. Polished surface finish with intricate drapery carving.
Creation Period
Hellenistic Period, circa 150-125 BC
Dimensions & Format
204 cm (6 ft 8 in) height; vertical monumental format.
Subject Description
A larger-than-life representation of Aphrodite (Venus), the Greek goddess of love and beauty. She is depicted semi-nude with heavy drapery slipping from her hips. The goddess stands in a pronounced contrapposto, featuring a spiraling 'figura serpentinata' composition typical of the period.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good (considering antiquity); stable but fragmentary, missing both arms and the original plinth.
Estimated Market Value
Inestimable (National treasure of France)
Auction Estimate
Not applicable; not available for sale.
Provenance History
Discovered in 1820 on the island of Milos; acquired by the Marquis de Rivière and presented to Louis XVIII of France; entered the collection of the Musée du Louvre in 1821 where it remains.
Art Historical Significance
One of the most famous examples of ancient Greek sculpture in the world. It marks a transition between the Classical and Hellenistic periods and has served as a primary canon of beauty in Western art since its discovery.
Notable Features
The 'mystery' of the missing arms and the 'lost' signature of Alexandros of Antioch; the use of the 'Praxitelean' S-curve; the dramatic contrast between the smooth flesh and the deep, rough-hewn folds of the drapery.
Condition Issues
Both arms are missing below the shoulders; surface erosion; various chips and abrasions; loss of original polychromy and jewelry; missing left foot and original base.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain strictly controlled humidity and temperature within the Louvre's Salle des Caryatides; low-UV lighting; regular monitoring for structural stability and surface cleanliness.