Introduction
Two of the most recognizable works of ancient art are the Snake Goddess figure from Crete and the Venus of Willendorf. Although they were made thousands of miles apart, they have much in common that lends itself well to comparison and contrast. This article will examine the main qualities of the cultures that produced each work, their purpose and significance, the visual traits of each piece, and what these differences imply about their separate cultures.
Cultural Context and Origins
The Venus of Willendorf
The Venus of Willendorf was found in Austria in 1908 and dates back to the Paleolithic period, perhaps 25,000 BCE. The statue is only 4.4 inches tall and is made of limestone (Orenstein, 2018). It shows a naked woman with oversized breasts, a bulging tummy, and broad hips, among other exaggerated physical characteristics. Her arms are crossed over her midsection, and she has no face. The Venus of Willendorf is believed to be employed as a fertility charm or a representation of female strength. This is because the figure is small and portable, suggesting that it may have been carried or used in private or personal rituals.
The Snake Goddess
In contrast, the Snake Goddess figurine was found in Knossos, Crete, in 1903, and it was made during the Minoan culture, circa 1600 BCE (Orenstein, 2018). It is 13.4 inches tall, fashioned of faience, a form of earthenware. A woman wearing a long garment and a headdress with snakes on either side is depicted in the sculpture. She has one snake wrapped around her waist and two snakes in her outstretched hands. The Minoan goddess, associated with snakes and the ground’s fertility, is said to have been represented by the Snake Goddess figurine, which is thought to have been used in religious events. These associations of the Snake Goddess come from its being a woman.
Comparative Analysis of Cultural Differences
Despite having the same topic of feminine power and fecundity, each piece’s artistic elements are remarkably distinct. The Venus of Willendorf is a tiny, rounded, curvaceous person with no identifiable facial features or clothing. Her disproportionate physical attributes are intended to draw attention to her fertility and maternal strength.
On the other hand, the statue of the Snake Goddess is tall and majestic, with a distinctive sense of attire and decoration. Compared to the Venus of Willendorf, her posture is more formal, and her headdress and clothing are intricately sculpted. She holds snakes and has others wrapped around her waist to represent her ties to fertility and the natural world.
Each work’s visual distinctions point to substantial cultural differences between the cultures that created them. The Venus of Willendorf, depicting fertility’s value in maintaining the population, was crafted when humans were predominantly hunters and gatherers. The absence of facial features and the lack of clothing point to a society that values the physical body over personal identification. On the other hand, the Snake Goddess figurine was produced by a more evolved civilization with a sophisticated artistic and theological history. The focus on ornamentation, symbolism, and attire indicates a society that prized creativity and individuality.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Snake Goddess figurine from Crete and the Venus of Willendorf are famous examples of prehistoric art depicting female fertility and strength. Despite this resemblance, they varied greatly in terms of the cultures that developed them, their visual traits, and the purpose and meaning of the objects. By contrasting and comparing these two pieces, we learn more about the complexity of ancient art and the societies that produced it.
Reference
Orenstein, G. F. (2018). The reemergence of the archetype of the great goddess in art by contemporary women. In Feminist Art Criticism (pp. 71-86). Routledge.