Praxiteles popularized this representation of the classical Goddess, where the statue is characterized by her modest gestures, which led her to hide with her hands or a piece of a cloak, both her breasts and genitals.
This popular figure exemplified the modest virtues of the Goddess and, by extension, of women. Thus, prudence or discretion has been cemented throughout the centuries as the feminine ideal.
After studying these sculptures and their symbolism, and comparing those images with new social representations of women, shared through the internet and social media, Lombardía created a body of work entitled Impudens Venus, which represents and exemplifies the opposite ideal: constructing women who recognize themselves as impudent, imprudent and indiscreet.
Therefore, these statues, fragmented by history, are now complete with arms of women protesters, with limbs that no longer hide but raise their fists closed, and their nakedness is covered only by powerful words written on their skin.
In this way, through appropriation, collage, and the use of secular and contemporary iconography, these sculptures have been emancipated from the weight of representation and now invite us to reflect on women’s bodies as an ideological and symbolic field, questioning the role of art in the objectification, legitimation, and construction of the feminine ideal.
This publication was made with the support of:
Acción Cultural Española
SCAN
Galería Alarcón Criado
