Sandro Botticelli, an early master of the Italian Renaissance, is celebrated for his contributions to the major art motion. He is well known for his larger-than-life mythological scene of The Birth of Venus, even though his work features secular portraits and Biblical depictions.
This monumental painting has been admired and analyzed for centuries. The masterpiece was created in the late 15th century and exhibited in Florence’s famous Uffizi Gallery since the early 1900’s. It is regarded today, along with celebrated pieces like Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling, as a key work of the Italian Renaissance.
So, why is this painting so famous? Botticelli’s approach to subject matter is what sets The Birth of Venus apart from other Renaissance depictions, in addition to stylistic qualities like color and brushwork. However, it is important to understand the context of the prominent painting before looking at the characteristics.
Context
Though the exact dates of creation are not known, art historians believe that The Birth of Venus was likely painted between 1482 and 1485. At this time the High Renaissance in Italy was less than a decade away. Botticelli was working in Florence after a period in Rome where he was commissioned to create frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. When he returned Florence he resumed regularly painting Roman Catholic depictions. However, he also began to dabble in the new subject matter of Greek and Roman mythology.
He produced two large-scale paintings – Primavera and The Birth of Venus – as a result of his newfound interest in this ancient iconography. Though not a pair, these pieces are often viewed simultaneously due to their similar subjects, style, and scale. Additionally, both pieces are rendered in tempera paint, a traditional medium made of pigment and egg yolk. Unlike Primavera, however, which was painted on panel, The Birth of Venus is a work on canvas—the first of its kind in Tuscany.
Subject Matter
The Birth of Venus
The Birth of Venus shows the recently-born Venus, the Roman goddess associated with love and beauty. Standing nude in an enlarged scallop shell, she is flanked by three figures from Classical mythology. While the intended identities of these individuals are not clear, they are widely believed to be Zephyr – the god of wind, Chloris – Zephyr’s wife and a nymph associated with flowers, and an Horae – a Greek goddess related to the seasons. Together, Zephyr and Chloris push Venus toward the shore with their breath, while Horae waits to cover her with a cloak.
According to the Uffizi Gallery, this scene showcases several influences, including Ovid’s Metamorphoses, Agnolo Poliziano’s poem, Stanzas, and Venus Pudica, a pose found in Classical art.
Similar to the contrapposto (s-shaped) stance of Michelangelo’s David, the Venus Pudica is a pose characterized by asymmetry. Unlike the former, however, which is employed only to convey naturalism, the Venus Pudica bend occurs when a figure uses his or her hand to conceal their nudity. The Venus de’ Medici, a Hellenistic sculpture, illustrates this.
Significance
Primavera
Today, the subject matter of The Birth of Venus seems typical of the Italian Renaissance, as a Classical influence characterized the success of the period. It was among the first pieces showcasing this approach at the time. In the case of The Birth of Venus, this Classical inspiration is evident in its mythological subject matter and the unprecedented prominence of the female nude.
Mythological Iconography
Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Raphael also incorporated Classical inspiration into their artwork. However, their pieces mostly remained rooted in Christian iconography. With The Birth of Venus, Botticelli revived the mythological interests found in Classical antiquity.
Prominence Of The Female Nude
While nude females regularly featured in ancient Greek paintings and sculptures, they were not included in western art again until Botticelli’s Birth of Venus. Following this reintroduction, however, unclothed female figures would appear in most major movements, from Art Nouveau to Post-Impressionism.
Legacy
Today, The Birth of Venus is recognized as one of the most iconic works of art of all time. With an influence evident in everything from art-minded fashion photography to masterpiece-inspired hairstyles, its enduring role in contemporary art and culture is as prevalent as its place in the history of art.
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