Exactly 202 years ago the extraordinary Hellenic statue dating back to 130 BC was discovered on the island of Milos, which has become an icon of charm and mystery and a source of inspiration for cinema
On April 8, 202 years ago, on the Greek island of Milos, an exceptional discovery took place: the Aphrodite of Milo, better known as Venus de Milo. It was not the archaeologists who discovered it, but a farmer by the name of Yorgos Kentrotas who, while working the land, found in his hands the sinuous white marble statue destined to become an icon for the world of art.
THEGreek opera, which at the time of its discovery was already without arms, has been attributed by scholars to Alexander of Antioch and seems to date back to 130 BC. It is not well known which mythological episode the sculptor wanted to represent; most likely it is a depiction of the goddess Aphrodite as she hands the golden apple to Paris.
The extraordinary two-meter Hellenic statue, embodying the classic ideal of beauty, left the island of Milos aboard a French ship after a long negotiation. It became a source of contention between the French and the Greeks and in the end, the Marquis De Rivière - French ambassador to the Ottomans - managed to obtain the masterpiece and then donate it to King Louis XVIII. In 1821 it was brought to the Louvre Museum in Paris, where it still stands today.
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The Venus de Milo is one of the most famous Greek works of art in the world and has become a real muse for artists of different eras. Among many, he was fascinated by the painter Delacroix who was inspired by the Hellenic masterpiece for the female figure of his famous painting "Freedom leading the people".
But the splendid Venus de Milo, with her elegance and her sensuality, continues to influence even the artists of today. In the world of cinema there are several quotes related to this work.
In the movie “The Dreamers”, the director Bertolucci wanted to pay homage to her with a scene that contains a clear reference to the statue: Isabelle (played by Eva Green), one of the protagonists of the film, enters a room with her arms covered by long black gloves that blend with the dim light and making it seem armless, just like the Venus de Milo. Another reference to the Hellenic masterpiece is also found in the cult television series "The Secrets of Twin Peaks" directed by David Lynch.
In short, millennia will have passed since its realization and 202 years since its discovery, but the Venus de Milo never ceases to fascinate the world.
Source: Treccani
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