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Venus de Milo

The Venus de Milo is an ancient Greek marble sculpture usually identified as Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Venus de Milo is an ancient Greek marble sculpture usually identified as Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty. Created in the Hellenistic period and discovered on the island of Milos in 1820, it is among the Louvre Museum’s best-known works.

Description

The Venus de Milo is a large marble statue of a woman, widely thought to represent Aphrodite. It stands about 2.0 m tall and is made of marble. The statue is notable for its missing arms and partial nudity, which have made it one of the most recognizable ancient sculptures.

Discovery and acquisition

The statue was discovered in pieces on the Greek island of Milos on 8 April 1820. It was acquired by French officials and entered the Louvre’s collection in 1821.

Date and authorship

Scholars generally place the work in the 2nd century BCE, often around 150–125 BCE. Many modern accounts attribute it to Alexandros of Antioch, although the statue’s exact origin remains debated.

Cultural significance

The Venus de Milo is one of the Louvre’s most famous artworks and a major symbol of ancient Greek art. It is often mentioned alongside the Mona Lisa and the Winged Victory of Samothrace as a highlight of the museum’s collection.

Key facts

  • The Venus de Milo is commonly identified as Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty.
  • It was discovered in 1820 on the island of Milos in Greece.
  • The sculpture is dated to the 2nd century BCE, around 150–125 BCE.
  • It is attributed to Alexandros of Antioch in many modern sources.
  • The statue has been displayed at the Louvre since 1821 and is one of its most famous works.
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Canadian context

The Venus de Milo is widely studied in Canadian art history, classics, and museum studies as a landmark of ancient Greek sculpture and a key example of Western art canon formation.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Venus de Milo?
An ancient Greek marble sculpture usually identified as Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty.
Who made the Venus de Milo?
It is commonly attributed to Alexandros of Antioch, though the attribution is not absolutely certain.
When was it made?
It is generally dated to the 2nd century BCE, often around 150–125 BCE.
Where was it found?
It was discovered in 1820 on the island of Milos in Greece.
Where is it now?
It is displayed at the Louvre Museum in Paris.
Why is it famous?
It is one of the best-known ancient sculptures in the world and is especially recognized for its classical form and missing arms.

References

  1. Louvre Museum — https://www.louvre.fr/en/explore/the-palace/ideal-greek-beauty
    Supports: Venus de Milo as one of the Louvre’s most famous female figures; found on Milos and acquired by the French ambassador
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Venus-de-Milo
    Supports: Identification, attribution to Alexandros, discovery in 1820, and transfer to the Louvre
  3. Mental Floss — https://www.mentalfloss.com/art/15-things-you-should-know-about-venus-de-milo
    Supports: Discovery by Yorgos Kentrotas in 1820 on Milos
  4. Artsper — https://www.artsper.com/blog/en/a-closer-look/venus-de-milo/
    Supports: Modern attribution to Alexandros of Antioch and 2nd-century BCE dating
  5. Ministère de l'Éducation nationale (France) — https://odysseum.eduscol.education.fr/la-venus-de-milo
    Supports: Height, date, discovery on Milos, and prominence at the Louvre