APRIL 8

On this date in 1820, only 199 years ago, a great work of art, one of the most famous sculptures in the world was discovered.  It is the ancient Greek sculpture we call Venus de Milo.  It was probably created about 100 BC, over 2,100 years ago, by the artist Alexandros of Antioch.  It is permanently on display in the Louvre Museum in Paris. 

What we have was found in two large pieces by a local peasant on the Island of Milos in the Aegean Sea. Just a few pieces of arms could be found but there was a hand holding an apple. 

We assume it is a depiction of the Greek god Aphrodite, the goddess of love.  Venus, of course, was the equivalent Roman goddess of love; thus Venus de Milo.