Goddess of Love, Aphrodite

Goddess Aphrodite_Alexandre_Cabanel_-_The_Birth_of_VenusAlexandre_Cabanel_-_The_Birth_of_VenusThis is a painting of Venus, who is the counterpart to the Greek Goddess, Aphrodite. The painting is The Birth of Venus (French: Naissance de Venus) by the French artist Alexandre Cabanel. This painting represents the beauty of the Goddess of Love. This painting is full of sensuality, the way she is just lounging amongst the waves as if she’s just woken up from a nap.

Aphrodite is the Greek Goddess of Love, Beauty, and Sexuality. According to legend, she was born fully formed from the white sea form that arose when the god Chronos was castrated. Aphrodite was known for her affairs and lovers and her lack of shame about her sexuality. She had many lovers with out apology and embraced her sexuality with out shame.

Aphrodite wants to lead you out and away from the thought that sexuality is “dirty”. She wants to show you that sex and sensuality can be fun and playful. It can be light-hearted and beautiful. She wants to show you how to love all aspects of your physical self. How to love yourself fully and rise above any negative thoughts you may have about your body.

Despite the tremendous beauty of this Masterpiece. The majority of critics attacked the painting with unmitigated disgust…: “What is this odalisque with the yellow belly, ignoble model dredged up from who knows where?” [And] “The painter’s attitude is of inconceivable vulgarity.” Remember, it was done in 1863.

 

The_Birth_of_Venus_by_William-Adolphe_Bouguereau_(1879)
The Birth of Venus by William-Adolphe Bouguereau_(1879)
William-Adolphe_Bouguereau_-_The_Nymphaeum_-_1878_(detail)
Nymphaeum, executed by Bouguereau in 1878. Venus’ figure was enlarged from this nymph.

There is several versions of The Birth of Venus (La Naissance de Vénus). But the two above version are, in my view, the most beautiful and fascinating.

 

Since Greek myth told us how the most beautiful and alluring of all goddesses rose from the foamy sea on a scallop shell, artists have forever been fascinated with this immortal creature of beauty.

I will sing of stately Aphrodite, gold-crowned and beautiful, whose dominion is the walled cities of all sea-set Cyprus. There the moist breath of the western wind wafted her over the waves of the loud-moaning sea in soft foam, and there the gold-filleted Hours welcomed her joyously. They clothed her with heavenly garments: on her head they put a fine, well-wrought crown of gold, and in her pierced ears they hung ornaments of orichalc and precious gold, and adorned her with golden necklaces over her soft neck and snow-white breasts, jewels which the gold-filleted Hours wear themselves whenever they go to their father’s house to join the lovely dances of the gods. And when they had fully decked her, they brought her to the gods, who welcomed her when they saw her, giving her their hands. Each one of them prayed that he might lead her home to be his wedded wife, so greatly were they amazed at the beauty of violet-crowned Cytherea.

Vénus Anadyomène – Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, 1808-48
Vénus Anadyomène – Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, 1808-48

As you can see, chubby women with waist-length hair, porcelaine skin, large hips and bald pussy were da shit at the moment. It’s fine with me! These renditions of Venus all look fascinating to me.

The 1486 Sandro Botticelli ‘s version isn’t appealing to me.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Birth_of_Venus_(Cabanel)
http://blog.blessingmanifesting.com/2012/02/goddess-of-love.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Birth_of_Venus_(Bouguereau)
http://www.artsheaven.com/william-adolphe-bouguereau-birth-of-venus.html