Venus De Milo 100 BC

Housed in The world famous Louvre Museum, this graceful statue of a goddess has intrigued and fascinated since its discovery on the island of Melos in 1820. Is it Aphrodite, who was often portrayed half-naked, or the sea goddess Amphitrite, who was venerated on Milo? The statue reflects sculptural research during the late Hellenistic Period: classical in essence, with innovatory features such as the spiral composition, the positioning in space, and the fall of the drapery over the hips.

Unfortunately this isn't the original. It's a reproduction that has been on show at the Aberdeen Art Gallery for as long as i can remember. The first time i saw this version I was amazed that one of the world's most famous antiquities was in Aberdeen. I was only eight years old.

Aberdeen does have a fine collection of art however and i spent the afternoon in the company of Monet, Matisse and Renoir. As a result, it took me an agonisingly long time to decide which photograph to post.