The armless Venus de Milo: an enigmatic beauty

The Venus de Milo , a masterpiece of ancient Greek sculpture, is one of the most famous statues in the Louvre. Discovered in 1820 on the island of Milos, this statue represents Aphrodite , the goddess of love and beauty. However, its mystery lies in its missing arms , which has given rise to speculation about their original position and meaning.

Some historians believe she was holding an apple, in reference to the legend of the Judgement of Paris , while others suggest she was carrying symbolic objects such as a shield or a spear. Regardless, the Venus fascinates visitors from around the world with her timeless beauty and unsolved enigma.

The Venus de Milo has left its mark on the Louvre's history with its majestic presence and sculptural elegance. Standing over 2 metres tall, it embodies the classical ideal of feminine beauty, despite or perhaps because of its imperfections. Centrally displayed in the Department of Greek, Etruscan and Roman Antiquities , it has become an undisputed icon of the collection.

The fascination with incompleteness

The absence of her arms actually contributed to her mythical aura. This involuntary imperfection gives the statue a mysterious character and allows the imagination to fill the void left by time. The Venus de Milo is also a witness to the history of the Louvre collections, brought back to France under the impetus of Count Marcellus who saw in it a jewel of Greek art.

Although the statue does not reveal all its secrets, it has inspired artists and poets for centuries. It continues to be an object of admiration and reflection for millions of visitors, captivated by its charm and majesty.

Discover, in our online art gallery , contemporary works that reinterpret classical beauty and timeless art, in homage to icons such as the Venus de Milo.

The Venus de Milo , one of the Louvre's most famous sculptures, has intrigued and fascinated for centuries, particularly because of the absence of its arms. Here's a fascinating anecdote about this iconic work:

Discovery:

• The Venus de Milo was discovered in 1820 on the Greek island of Milos by a peasant named Yorgos Kentrotas . It was later presented to Louis XVIII , King of France, who donated it to the Louvre Museum.

An enigmatic statue:

• The Venus de Milo is a sculpture from the Hellenistic period , dated to between 130 and 100 BC. It is generally identified as a representation of the Greek goddess Aphrodite (Venus in Roman mythology), goddess of love and beauty.

The mystery of the missing arms:

• When it was discovered, the statue was already without its arms. Archaeologists and art historians have long debated what position it might have originally had. Some believe it was holding an apple, a shield or a mirror.
• Several attempts at restoration were considered, but none were carried out, as the beauty and mystery of the armless statue eventually became an integral part of its charm.

Symbolism:

• The absence of arms contributes to her mysterious aura and makes her even more captivating to viewers. This lack encourages the imagination, and several theories have been proposed to guess what her arms were doing.
• Today, the Venus de Milo is a universal symbol of classical beauty, celebrated for its elegance and graceful posture, despite its incompleteness.

A timeless icon:

• Displayed in the Louvre's Greek Antiquities department, the Venus de Milo attracts millions of visitors each year, fascinated by its history and enigmatic beauty.