THE IMAGE OF APHRODITE IN ANCIENT SCULPTURE

The mythical depiction of the Greek goddess Aphrodite has significantly influenced the visual arts of subsequent eras. As a result, the image of the goddess of love and beauty, born from the foamy waters by APHRODITE’S ROCK, has inspired ancient sculptors for centuries. Several inspiring Aphrodite works of art exist today because of this. These include several works that have taken on her accepted form. This is further emphasised by the fact that her image holds the record for the number of statues created in a single 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, 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 hetaera pose for it. 

Today, the are several magnificent antique works of art that have been made in the accepted image of Aphrodite. These 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 the Aphrodite of Knidos statue. 

Exhibited today in the Hermitage Museum, this work dates back to the 2nd century BC. Found near Rome, in the first half of the 18th century, it was later acquired by Peter the Great, who was a great connoisseur of several works of art. This treasure of antiquity was then named the 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. The image of this particular statue once proudly adorned the Cyprus £20 bank note before the island adopted the Euro.