I think we’re looking at the art of a culture where the art wasn’t all that great. :’) Or, maybe they just liked ‘em with a little more junk in the trunk. Or, and this is my favorite theory about most prehistoric cultural remains, the statues were produced by teen boys.
Now, that’s funny.
On a serious note, the web has provided higher quality photographs of the Willmendorf Woman, nee Venus. The newer photos provide greater detail over the blurry black and white images in the Art History texts I last saw some 40 years ago.
The level of detail is pretty amazing. The headwear appears to strongly suggest a knit or woven cap. At odds with that detailing is the absence of any facial features. More questions.
SC, thanks for the post and the impetus to revisit old impressions and seek newer information.