AP Art History: The Birth of Venus-- #72
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
The Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli
Arguably the most iconic Renaissance masterpiece, Botticelli's Birth of Venus depicts the ancient mythological scene, but rather than a true birth, Botticelli's Venus majestically rises from the seafoam in a scallop shell.
Bio of the work:
Title: The Birth of Venus
Date: 1483 - 1485
Medium: Tempura on canvas
Museum: Uffitzi Gallery, Florence, Italy
Analysis:
At this point in this point in the Renaissance, artists were mostly working on wood panels, making Botticelli's choice of canvas unusual and progressive. According to Greek mythology, the goddess Venus was born of the sea on to the island of Cyprus. The bystanders include Zephyrus, the god of the wind and breeze, holding a nymph, Chloris, and the goddess Hora waiting to give Venus a lavish, rose cloak. While totally nude, Venus modestly covers herself with her own hair. Click this link to learn about the Renaissance as a whole including Botticelli and his contemporaries.
Sources:
https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/the-birth-of-venus-sandro-botticelli/MQEeq50LABEBVg?hl=en
http://www.italianrenaissance.org/botticelli-birth-of-venus/
