Venus de Milo, << VEE nuhs duh MEE loh, >> is a famous ancient Greek statue. The marble sculpture represents Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty (Venus in Roman mythology). It stands 6 feet 8 inches (203 centimeters) tall. It was created by an unknown sculptor, perhaps about 130 B.C. The statue has broad hips and breasts in contrast to a fine-boned, serene head. Drapery seems to be slipping off her hips.
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The statue was named Venus de Milo (Venus of Milos) because a peasant found it on the Greek island of Milos in 1820. It was broken into two parts. Other fragments were found, including pieces of arms and a pedestal with an inscription. These later disappeared and have never been recovered. It was one of many statues of Aphrodite inspired by the Aphrodite of Knidos by the Greek sculptor Praxiteles (see Praxiteles ).
The Marquis de Riviere, French ambassador to Turkey, bought the statue. After it was repaired, he gave it to King Louis XVIII of France. Louis presented the statue to the Louvre museum in Paris, where it is now exhibited.
