Comparaison œuvres anglais

« L2 – HAA – Grp 1 LAFOND Illona Anglais – Comparaison In this study, I propose to compare three sculptures of ancient Greece : Aphrodite of Knidos (IVe BC), Aphrodite of Melos (also called Venus of Milo) dated between 150 and 130 BC and Aphrodite of Delos with Pan and Eros (100 BC).

Through this analysis, it would be interesting to ask how the in the round representation of Aphrodite evolved during Ancient Greece ? We will answer this question through two axes of approach.

Firstly, I propose to observe the commonalities as well as the notable differences of these works.

Then, in a second step, we will place these works in their iconography as well as the evolution of their artistic context.

For simplicity and for the sake of repetition, I will sometimes call the statue of Knidos statue 1, the statue of Melos statue 2 and the statue of Delos statue 3. As we mentioned earlier, we will study three works and for this, we start with a brief technical description.

The Aphrodite of Knidos was made by the famous sculptor Praxiteles of Athens.

The statue measures 205 cm, it is one of the first life-size representations of the artist. It is almost the same size as the Aphrodite de Milos which measures 202 cm.

The third in the round is smaller : it measures 155 cm, including the base.

It is smaller than a sculpture on a human scale and would be made of Paros marble.

For the other two sculptures, we don’t have any details on the type of marble used.

Notice that the Aphrodite of Knidos is not the Greek original but a Roman copy, unlike the Venus de Milo and the carved group of Aphrodite, Pan and Eros, both of which are the originals of the Hellenistic period.

However, these two works are incomplete even some parts seems to have probably been restored.

From a general point of view, the three sculptures in the round are represented standing and more or less naked.

The statues of Aphrodite of Knidos and Aphrodite of Melos are represented with simple headdresses : hair covered by a diadem, divided by a line into thick wavy bands forming a bun from which a few strands escape.

This isn’t the case for the sculpted group on which the hair is held by a kind of fabric knotted above the line.

Now, let's move on the description of the face.

The three representations of Aphrodite have a full and smooth face, a straight nose, rather small and sunken eyes, and a slightly ajar mouth.

The three statues don’t display an expression strictly speaking, the faces are rather smooth, calm and serene.

The torsos of the three statues are similar : perfectly proportioned, the breasts are spread apart and seem rather firm, the belly is slightly bulging.

The only notable difference of the chest : the abdominal muscles are much more marked on the statue of Melos.

All representations lead to think that a hand, left or right depending on the restorations and hypotheses, hid the genitals of Aphrodite.

The other hand of the statue of Knidos, the left hand, grabs a kind of drape resting on a vase or a small column. According to the hypotheses, the Venus of Milo held in her left hand the apple of the judgment of Pâris.

Aphrodite of Delos wears an object with her right hand but I haven’t found a precise identification.

In addition, all the statues express a hip as well as a contrapposto.

Indeed, their right legs carry all the weight of the body, the left foot slightly raised.

They all seem to have rather flat but firm bottoms.

Finally, about statues 1 and 2 we notice the presence of a drape. »