---
title: The Venus of Willendorf
author: Oke
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/6865/the-venus-of-willendorf/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
updated: 2024-06-07
---

# The Venus of Willendorf

_Authored by Oke_

## Image File

[![The Venus of Willendorf](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/6865.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/6865.jpg)

## Image Caption

The [Venus](https://www.worldhistory.org/venus/) of Willendorf is a limestone statuette likely carved between 24,000 and 22,000 years ago, in the Upper [Paleolithic](https://www.worldhistory.org/Paleolithic/), making it one of the oldest pieces of art in the world. The faceless, voluptuous, female figure is considered typical of this type of prehistoric art, though surviving examples are rare. The 11.1 cm figurine would easily fit in the palm of the hand, allowing for easy transport by the nomadic peoples of [Ice Age](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ice_Age/) [Europe](https://www.worldhistory.org/europe/) and a possible indication that it may have been used in some sort of fertility ritual. It was found in Willendorf, Austria, in 1908 and can be viewed at the Naturhistorisches Museum in Vienna.

## Cite This Work

### APA
Oke. (2017, July 07). The Venus of Willendorf. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/6865/the-venus-of-willendorf/>
### Chicago
Oke. "The Venus of Willendorf." *World History Encyclopedia*, July 07, 2017. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/6865/the-venus-of-willendorf/>.
### MLA
Oke. "The Venus of Willendorf." *World History Encyclopedia*, 07 Jul 2017, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/6865/the-venus-of-willendorf/>.

## License & Copyright

[Original image](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Wien_NHM_Venus_von_Willendorf.jpg) by [**Oke**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Wien_NHM_Venus_von_Willendorf.jpg). Submitted by [Jessica Liew](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/jessicamliew/ "User Page: Jessica Liew"), published on 07 July 2017. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon a work even for commercial reasons, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.