Sandro Botticelli's Birth Of Venus

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Sandro Botticelli painted "Birth of Venus" starting in 1482, and completed the tempera work by 1485. It is believed that the painting itself was commisioned for one of the Medici family, as it hung in their country villa accompanied by "Primavera" and is considered to be one of the greatest works of all time. Botticelli is known for his classical Early Renaissance style. In the Renaissance, mythology of the classical world represented a superior form of truth and wisdom. Humanism depicting a blending of Christian viewpoints and Neoplatonism, a philosophy that emphasizes the idea that viewing and analyzing beautiful objects, sacred images, and architectural programs could lead one's soul into closer union with the divine. He took inspiration from not just art, but poetry as well. "I will sing of stately Aphrodite (Roman Venus), gold crowned, and beautiful, whose domain is the walled cities of all sea-set Cypress. There the moist breath of the western wind wafted her over the waves of the loud-moaning sea in soft foam, and there the gold filleted Horai welcomed her joyously. They clothed her with heavenly garments." – Second Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite, translated by H.G. Evelyn-White [6] …show more content…
She is shown as nude, which at the time, was not done outside of the exception of Eve from the story of Genesis. Her beautiful yet controversial figure standing as a test to change, becomming one of the most recognized pieces of art in history. To the right of Venus is Zephyrus, the Roman God of Winds. He brings with him Aura, or the breeze and they gently blow Venus, the Goddess of Love on her sea shell towards land. Floating towards shore, Horae or the Goddess of the Seasons, is waiting there to greet Venus with a floral robe, ready to be accepted by the