The artwork titled “Aphrodite” was created by artist Jeff Koons between 2016 and 2021. This sculpture is a part of the Neo-Pop Art movement. The medium used is steel, contributing to a contemporary interpretation of classic themes, evident in the subject matter being a nude figure, which plays on the art genre that includes both sculpture and nude painting (nu).
The artwork depicts a standing female figure that possesses a polished, reflective surface, which is characteristic of Koons’ work, inviting viewers to see themselves within the sculpture. The figure is positioned with one hand shielding her eyes and the other extended in a delicate gesture. Her pose suggests a classical contrapposto, with the weight on one leg and a relaxed demeanor, and pays homage to historical depictions of the Greek goddess of love and beauty, Aphrodite.
Two notable aspects of the piece are the chrome-like quality of the material, which gives the sculpture a modern and luxurious appearance, and the blue base it stands upon. The glistening surface adds a play of light and reflection, blurring the lines between the viewer’s space and the art itself. The steel transforms the sculpture into something both contemporary and timeless, consistent with the thematic concerns of Neo-Pop Art, which merges popular and classical elements. Overall, “Aphrodite” is a celebration of the human form through the lens of modern materiality and production techniques.
