There are countless surviving examples of historical art and sculptures currently housed in museums, being displayed in public spaces, or acting as décorin ancient churches. The cheekyManneken Pis, for example, urinates♦ into a fountain at the Brussels City Museum. __1__ Many of these works of art are shrouded in a veil of mystery and intrigue, with none more so than the armless Venus de Milo.
As the legend goes, the statue was first discovered in two pieces on the Greek island of Milos in April of 1820 by a peasant. The sculpture was then purchased by French officers and presented to King Louis XVIII of France. It was later donated to the Louvre Museum, where it remains to this day. __2__ Hence, it is also known as the Aphrodite of Milos. While the sculpture was created between 130-100 BCE, its creator remains anonymous.
__3__ Was this intentional or did they break off at some point in the past? No arms were found at the site of her discovery, which only deepened the mystery of the enigmaticstatue. Many have speculated as to what her arms may have originally been positioned doing. Some think she may have been holding a spear, a mirror, or an apple. Some even suggest that she may not be Aphrodite at all but Amphitrite, the goddess of the sea and wife of Poseidon. __4__ Since these were missing in the case of Venus de Milo, it made the process difficult. However, the use of naturally pure-white and flawless Parian marble and the fact that she was sculpted half-naked give credence to her role as the goddess of love.
(A) The statue is fascinating for many reasons, and the most obvious one is its lack of arms.
(B) The statue is thought to depict Aphrodite, the ancient Greek goddess of love and beauty.
(C) The identity of any given ancient sculpture was often determined by the items a figure held in their hands.
(D) And Christ the Redeemer stands guard, with his arms wide open, over the city of Rio de Janeiro.
