Venus Impudique (“Immodest Venus”) is one of the best known statuettes from the Paleolithic period. Its fame rests partly on the fact that it was the first Paleolithic female statue to be discovered. Amateur archaeologist Marquis de Vibraye was the one who discovered it in 1864 and the one who named it Immodest Venus as the depicted female made no attempt to hide her sexuality.
Table of Contents
S1 – Discovery
Laugerie-Basse is a Paleolithic site in Dordogne, France. In 1864, Venus Impudique was discovered there by Paul Hurault, 8th Marquis de Vibraye, an amateur archaeologist from France. This was the first time that a Paleolithic female statue was discovered in modern times.
The term Venus Pudica (“Modest Venus”) was used to refer to a statue of classical Venus in which the Venus attempted to conceal her breasts and pubic area. Marquis de Vibraye named the sculpture “Immodest Venus” as the female depicted in the statuette made no attempts to hide her sexuality. This was the first time that the term “Venus” was applied to a Prehistoric female image.
S2 – Description
Venus Impudique is carved from ivory and is 8 centimeters tall. It has lost its head. The arms and feet are also missing. While other Paleolithic female figurines are usually obese with ample breasts and hips, Venus Impudique has a flat stomach and small, developing breasts. This has led to the theory that it represents a young girl. When viewed in profile, the figurine is comparable to certain cave drawings.
S3 – Age
When Hurault found the Immodest Venus, he had no idea how old it was. However, based on the sediment where he found it, he realized that probably the figurine belonged to the stone age and was very old. Later radiocarbon dating indicated that Venus Impudique was around 16,000 years old.
S4 – The Name Venus?
S5 – Paleolithic Art Overview
Main Sources
S1:-
White, Randall. (2003). “Prehistoric art: the symbolic journey of humankind.” p54.
S2:-
“The Laugerie Basse Venus, ‘Venus Impudique’ (Immodest Venus)”. Don’s Maps.
S3:-
Smith, Andrew. (Nov 7, 2023). “The Venus Illusion”. Goatfury Writes.