Aphrodite was the goddess of love, desire, and beauty. One account of her birth says she is the daughter of Zeus and Dione. The other informs us that she arose from the sea after Cronus castrated Uranus and tossed his severed genitals into the sea. She then walked ashore in either Cyprus or Cythera. Zeus married Aphrodite off to Hephaestus, the steadiest of gods. She had an affair with his brother Ares, god of war. Her holy tree was the myrtle and her birds were the dove, swan, and sparrow. Her husband made her a girdle. When she wore it no one could resist her. Aphrodite had many lovers both mortal and god. Her most famous mortal lover was Adonis. Some of her sons were Eros, Anteros, Hymenaios and Aeneas. Her festival is the Aphrodisiac. It was celebrated in different centers of Greece, especially in Corinth and Athens. Intercourse with her priestesses was considered a method of worship. The pieces in this exhibit show Aphrodite in different lights. They show her as a mother, a lover, a woman, and as a goddess.
Mixing Vessel with Adonis, Aphrodite, and Persephone, 390 - 380 B.C., From the collection of: The J. Paul Getty Museum
The Mixing Vessel with Adonis, Aphrodite, and Persephone was created in Athens, Greece, between 390 and 380 B.C. The Greek artist Meleager Painter created the piece. Meagan Painter was active between 420 and 380 B.C., so this could have been one of his final pieces. His real name is unknown. The piece is a krater vase with a large round body and wide mouth that was probably used to mix water and wine. The vase is made of terracotta and is gold and black. It is held at the J. Paul Getty Museum in California. It features Adonis, Aphrodite, Adonis, and Persephone. On one side Adonis is reclining on a couch between Aphrodite and Persephone and their female attendants. The other side shows three male couples reclining on couches at a drinking party. At the top of the stand is a hunting scene with real and mythological animals. The myth of Aphrodite tells that she fell in love with a human Adonis. When Adonis was killed in a hunting accident Zeus turned him immortal, allowing him to leave the underworld. He now splits his time between Aphrodite, the goddess of love, and Persephone, the queen of the underworld. The cycle of death and rebirth displayed here was linked with the regeneration of crops in ancient Greece. Adonis is known as a god of vegetation. This is shown is the handles of the vase. The vase sits on a separately made stand. The vase was sold to the J. Paul Getty Museum in 1987 by Antike Kunst Palladion of Basel, Switzerland.
The Statuette of Aphrodite and Eros on a Base was created during the 2nd or 1st century B.C. The artist of this sculpture is unknown. It is of Greek culture and was probably created in Egypt. It is made of bronze. It is in the possession of the J. Paul Getty Museum in California, but it is not currently on display. There is not much known about the origins of this sculpture. It depicts a playful scene between mother and child. Aphrodite is nude except for a stephane, or crown, on her head. Her hair is curled, and she holds a folded cestus, or belt, in her hand. It is raised as if she might strike her son Eros. Eros is completely naked with his wings fully spread. He is reaching up to his mother as she reaches down. During the Hellenistic period when this sculpture was created the gods and goddesses were often portrayed in more human-like circumstances.
The “Heyl Aphrodite,” an exquisite beauty, Unknown, -200/-100, From the collection of: Altes Museum, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
The “Heyl Aphrodite” was created between 200 and 100 B.C. The artist of this figurine is unknown. It is made of clay. It is in the possession of the Altes Museum of the National Museums in Berlin. While the exact place of origin is unknown, this figurine may have come from Asia Minor, maybe even Tanagra, based on the terracotta/clay work present. There is not much known on this figurine. It is more sensual than most figurines. The gown she is wearing is draped very low barely covering her right breast. The gown is sheer enough that it reveals more of the abdomen than it covers. The hair is held back by a diadem, or crown. She is also wearing large earrings. Because of the condition of the figurine much of the attitude has been lost.
Head of Aphrodite ("The Bartlett Head" ), Unknown, about 330 B.C. - 300 B.C., From the collection of: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
The Head of Aphrodite was created in Athens, Attica, Greece, around 330 to 300 B.C. It is also known as the Bartlett Head. The artist of the sculpture is unknown. It is associated with the style of Praxiteles, one of the most celebrated Attic sculptors. It is made of Parian marble. This sculpture is an example of the late classical or early Hellenistic period. It is on display at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. It was once in the possession of the late Mr. Pallis. It was found opposite the Monasteri Rwy station in Athens according to Mr. Edward Perry Warren. It was purchased by the Museum of Fine Arts from Mr. Warren on March 24, 1903. The neck of the sculpture is worked for insertion into a full length statue, but the rest is lost. The head has been well preserved except for a chip on the tip of the nose. The hairstyle depicted was popular at the time and was known as lampadion, which means little torch. The statue is 11 5/6 inches high.
Statuette of Aphrodite Leaning on a Pillar, Unknown, 250–200 B.C., From the collection of: The J. Paul Getty Museum
The statuette of Aphrodite leaning on a pillar was created in Tanagra, Greece, between 250 and 200 B.C. The artist of this sculpture is unknown. It is made of terracotta and polychromy. It is currently on display at Getty Villa, Gallery 104, Gods and Goddesses and belongs to the J. Paul Getty Museum in California. It is based on an earlier piece by sculptor Pheidias of a clothed Aphrodite. This statuette is wearing a large wreath of flowers on her head and a cloak around her hips. To go along with later Hellenistic tastes, Aphrodite is semi-nude. Aphrodite has a hand outstretched. It once would have held an offering such as a dove or an offering bowl. Although once brightly painted, there are only traces of red paint remaining on the statuette. The city of Tanagra where this piece was created was a leading producer of small figurines made of terracotta. Elaborately and stylishly dressed women were favorited. This statuette was sold to the J. Paul Getty Museum in 1955 by Nicolas Koutoulakis.
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