Research Paper: Ancient Society

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Research Paper
The ancient societies crafted art that depicted sociopolitical and economic dimensions at particular epochs of time. This paper will focus on Nude woman, Kritios Boy, and Spear Bearer by roping in issues that belong to the sphere of politics, religion, and social. Each art is unique on its own, but the Classical Age Greek sculptures tend to exhibit specific configuration in terms of the love for the art in early Greek and Roman societies.
Nude woman (Venus of Willendorf) Austria ca 28,000 B.C.
"Venus" of Willendorf
c. 24,000-22,000 BCE
Oolitic limestone
4 3/8 inches (11.1 cm) high
(Naturhistorisches Museum, Vienna)
Source: Asu.edu
The Nude Woman, alternatively, Venus of Willendorf, is one of the earliest Paleolithic era representation human female forms. It was discovered in 1908 by archaeologist Josef Szombathy at Willendorf, Austria. Venus of Willendor is highly portable, approximately 11 centimeters high, and fragmented. The Nude Woman is a reflection of European Paleolithic “Venus figurines,” which can be traced to around 23000 to 25000 years ago (Dixson et al., pp.1). This type of Paleolithic figurine has had multiple connotations. Dixson et al. (pp1-11) findings indicate that the audience view character is a representation of fertility, middle-aged, obesity, young adult women rather than being older postmenopausal ones, and obesity. Some consider obese Nude woman figurine as a reflection of fertility evidenced by big breasts; in light of these, they are seen as the epitome of attractiveness. Dixson et al. (pp.9-11) suggested that the reflection of middle-aged females did not symbolize a sense of “Venuses” in a traditional approach, but it might denote the hope for survival, longevity, well nourishment and successful reproduction in the earliest human societies. Obesity might have been the reality for both Paleolithic men and women, but the climatic conditions and hardship life characterized by hunting and gathering could not permit obesity to occur in Paleolithic societies. There is a possibility that few women survived the harsh conditions to become multiparous, middle-aged, and overweight, as reflected by figurines like Nude Woman. Thus, it could mean that the obese Nude Woman was a cultural expression of hope, survival, resilience, and reproduction during that hard time. Furthermore, women played diverse roles during the Paleolithic period, and thus, the images presented could represent multiple spaces of women in European Paleolithic societies (Dixson et al., (pp.10).
For many years, many have believed that figurines, like Venus of Willendorf, represent fertility and productivity in society. Since they show the possible continuity of the community through fertility, they were commonly associated with deities based on exaggerated features like large breasts and hips, rounded curves, and pubic triangle. Most Paleolithic female nude arts have no elaborate legs and legs; this could mean that the emphasis was placed on the shape of the female body. The social constructs such as the patriarchal society have inculcated her nudity into public discourse.
Kritios Boy – Acrop...