Statue of Aphrodite
Statue of Aphrodite
3D
Published 2018-11-22T13:12:42+00:00
This is a statue of Aphrodite in pudica pose, an ancient Greek goddess associated with love, beauty, pleasure, and procreation. She is identified with the planet Venus, which is named after the Roman goddess Venus, with whom Aphrodite was extensively syncretized. Aphrodite's major symbols include myrtles, roses, doves, sparrows, and swans.
The Venus Pudica is a classic pose in Western art. In the Aphrodite of Menophantos, the statue features an unclothed female with her left hand pulling a cloth over her genitalia whilst her right covers her breasts. The goddess stands on her left leg while her right one is slightly inclined. She turns slightly to her left; her tilted head and nonchalant expression suggest that she is lost in thought. The term Pudica derives from the Latin word "pudendus" which "can mean either external genitalia or shame, or both simultaneously"; and also from the double meaning of the Greek root word "aidos", which means shame or reverence.
| Date published | 22/11/2018 |
| Title | Statue of Aphrodite |
| Date | first half of the 2nd century AD copy of the end of the 4th century BC original |
| Period | Ancient |
| Medium | Marble |
| Artist | Unknown artist |
| Place | Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli |