Italian & Northern Renaissance

Sandro Botticello was one of the most influential humanist painters during the renaissance era. The background and history of Sandro Botticelli are still unknown. The painter was best known for his use of bright colors and lifelike characteristics and details in his work. It is often talked about amongst art historians that the paintings done by Sandro Botticello were commissioned for the Medici family but the truth to that is still unknown. We don't know much about Sandro Botticello, we know he was an influential painter and was connected to the Medici family. When he was younger and in his teenage years he was sought out by the Medici family, they offered him a space to create his artwork. It is a known fact they started his career and were able to help him become a well-known artist. I believe that his relationship with the Medici family allowed his career to be successful. He created many beautiful and popular pieces of artwork from the Italian Renaissance.

The painting I chose to discuss this week was one of Sandro Botticelli's more well-known pieces of work. This painting is called the Birth of Venus. It was the fifth major piece of art that Sandro Botticelli had completed. The Birth of Venus is currently located and displayed at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence Italy. The painting is a tempera on canvas technique and is five feet by nine feet big. This painting is a pretty big painting with many details. 


 
Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli 


I am unsure of the true story and background of this piece by Sandro Boticelli but in my opinion, when I see this painting I see life, happiness, and love. Sandro Botticelli used a lot of details in his paintings, his people like Venus the goddess of love and beauty is being portrayed by a blonde pale skin beauty to the Italian artists in that era. She has lifelike characteristics and can pay attention to making them look realistic. Not only does he have a strong talent for portraying realistic humanlike figures but he can portray a lifelike background and scenery. In this background, we have roses being blown through the air surrounding Venus, bright lifelike trees, and sparkling ocean waters. He does a great job of portraying the scene to be a beautiful spring day. This is my favorite painting by Sandro Botticelli because it has Venus the goddess of love and beauty standing in the middle. She is a luminous ethereal beauty that draws attention to herself. There is a background story that tells us she was birthed from sea foam and that is why she is standing on a seashell. This painting shows the beautiful goddess of love and beauty.

Comments

  1. ladyracerOctober 4, 2021 at 8:46 PM

    Hi Adeline, I like the painting that you chose of the ‘Birth of Venus’. The artwork done by Sandro Botticelli. I agree that the painting shows life, happiness and love. I think it shows Humanism also. It is the scholarly movement that was created during the Italian Renaissance. It gives me a better insight of the artwork details. Thank you!

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