THE IMAGE OF APHRODITE IN ANCIENT SCULPTURE

The mythical goddess Aphrodite, native of Cyprus, has significantly influenced the visual arts of subsequent eras. The goddess of love and beauty, born from the foamy waters by APHRODITE’S ROCK, within the district of Paphos, has inspired ancient sculptors for centuries. As a result, several inspiring Aphrodite works of art exist today, and these include several statues that have taken on her form. This is further emphasised by the fact that her image, in the form of a statue, currently holds the record for the number of statues created in her image!

The most renowned ancient statue of Aphrodite is known as ‘Aphrodite of Knidos’. This statue was created by the famous ancient Greek sculptor Praxiteles in the 4th century BC. Unfortunately, it has not survived to this day, but it is revered because it was the first depiction of the goddess appearing nude. Its importance is further highlighted by the fact that the sculptor is said to have had a hetaerae pose in mind when creating this piece of art. 

Today, the are several magnificent antique statues, in the image of Aphrodite, that adorn some of the greatest museums in the world. One such example is the statue of Venus of Tauride. The Roman equivalent of Aphrodite is said to have been created in the likeness of Aphrodite of Knidos. Exhibited today in the Hermitage Museum, the work that dates back to the 2nd century BC was found in the vicinity of Rome in the first half of the 18th century. Acquired by Peter the Great, who was a great connoisseur of several works of art, the statue was named Venus of Tauride, after it was exhibited in the Tauride Palace in Saint Petersburg.

The Cyprus Archaeological Museum in Nicosia offers its own sculpture of the goddess. This image once proudly adorned the Cyprus £20 bank note before the island adopted the Euro.