The auditorium was dark, and the white-headed professor was droning on and on about something my sleep deprived brain struggled to retain. I hung my head back to stare at the ceiling, trying to recall the bizarre dream I started to have last night, when my thought, like the dream, was interrupted. The slide had clicked to reveal a wonderfully rounded form— the very definition of round. A woman, head bowed, with enormous, pendulous breasts resting on a pillow of belly and hip. I was mesmerised.
The Venus of Willendorf.
I was obsessed. I drew her thighs and rolls in the corners of my art history and philosophy papers. I memorised her curves. This 25,000 year old Paleolithic statuette enchanted me. I daydreamed of the moment she was discovered in the earth, of her voluptuous little body being carved by ancient hands and gazed upon by ancient eyes... and I dreamt of tracing the shapes of her shadows with my own eyes.
Fifteen years later, I found myself standing before her, breath stilled in my body.
I pulled out my sketchbook and pen, and drew by the light which bounced off her breasts.
I am so lucky, indeed.
3 comments:
Marvellous. She must be elder sister of the ancient Anatolian Goddess Kybele (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ankara_Muzeum_B19-36.jpg).
I made a copy of her 20 years ago, in soapstone. I gave her to my aunt, she still has her, and she is very lovely. Thank you for reminding me of her!
Bora, I have finally seen her! What a wonderful figurine— I had seen photos of her in the past, but never visited the museum until the day before yesterday. She is so commanding!
Anja, what a lovely gift :)
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