(artist unknown, discovered in modern Austria). (c.22,000 to 21,000 bc). Woman from Willendorf [limestone]. Naturhistorisches Museum, Vienna.

I’ve studied this work throughout my education; my understanding of it is based on what I’ve been taught about it, meaning I will not bring anything new to the table. Clearly this work emphasizes the importance of fertility in a time when the survival of the group was not nearly as sure as it is today. I believe this work shows decent design with the repeated curved forms, balance of shapes and sense of mass it has. | 

This is a conceptual work of objective abstraction. Formal choices are made with a single intention, which is to create a tactile fertility symbol. To put it another way, of course this is a statuette of a woman, but the reproductive power within the symbol is placed in the “spotlight” more than the idea of womanhood, if that makes sense. 

Shape and texture comprise this work. Patterning thought to imitate hair textures the head of the figure. When viewed head-on, which is likely the original intention, the figure reflects horizontally. Rounded and curved forms dominate from head to toe. Such shapes are repeated in the textured imitation of head hair. The work emphasizes health by enlarging certain features over others. 

The most detail of this work is centered on the figure’s genitals and the texture of the head-form. Limbs are severely reduced, but overall forms and medium are substantial, giving the statuette a feeling of permanence.