This is a photograph of the so called Venus of Villendorf in Austria from prehistoric times, about 20.000 years ago. It is believed, that it had ritual functions concerning fertility.

It does not correspond very much to our present sense of an ideal body, because we expect beauty to evoke sensuous and mental delight as an image of harmony and perfection.

This sculpture is small in size, only approx. 11 cm of limestone, but great in design, as it is very elaborately composed and carried out.

1. "Venus of Villendorf"

10.000-15.000 b.c. Austria
limestone, 11,5 cm; Vienna