Botticelli's Birth of Venus Analysis Essay As Pablo Picasso once said "Painting is a blind man's profession. He paints not what he sees, but what he feels, what he tells himself about what he has seen." This statement could not be more true about art itself, including that of Sandro Botticelli. Most average people would think of Da Vinci or Picasso when they think of a great artist. However, many of today's art scholars consider Botticelli to be, like Da Vinci or Picasso, one of the great artists. The main reason for this is Botticelli's creation of his two fantastic masterpieces; the first being La Primavera and the second being The Birth of Venus. Both paintings now reside at the Uffizi museum in Florence Italy. Although both are beautiful, …show more content…
Sandro Botticelli, originally known as Alessandro di Mariano di Vanni Filipepi, started off as a simple apprentice. However, it was through this apprenticeship that he became involved with the Medici family. The Medici family ruled different parts of Florence at the time and allowed for a cultural reformation over many aspects of life, including the arts (National Gallery). During the Early Renaissance most painters would only portray biblical stories and figures from the Christian faith. Under the protection of the Medici, though, Botticelli was able to stray from this tradition and paint something no one else dared to. Sometime between 1482 and 1485 Lorenzo Medici commissioned a painting from Botticelli to be a gift for his cousin's wedding, and so, The Birth of Venus was created (PBS). Botticelli painted this piece using the tempera method on canvas. In fact, it was "the first example in Tuscany of painting on canvas" (Uffizi Gallery). The medium which Botticelli used was not what gave this work of art it's fame though. First of all, Botticelli did not paint a Christian biblical scene for this piece. Instead, he painted a scene from the Greek pagan religion. This caused great controversy within the church. Also, the fact that Venus herself is painted nude created an outrage among not only the church, but even …show more content…
First of all, one must know just what the artist's intentions were for a painting such as Birth of Venus. At first glance it is obvious that the painting depicts a message of love, desire, and joy. However, if one looks closer into the contextual background they'll find this painting portrays much more than a simple Greek myth. For instance, because Birth of Venus was commissioned by Lorenzo Medici, some believe that this painting is also a metaphorical ode to the Medici family; that Botticelli chose this specific scene with these specific figures to show that the age of love and joy has been born from the Medici's rule. Whether his intentions are obvious or not, they certainly add to the emotional and also physical beauty of the piece as a whole. Botticelli's intentions are not the only thing that adds to this painting though. The principles and elements demonstrated in this piece are part of what makes it a
The Adoration of the Magi is a famous oil painting by Sandro Botticelli in 1475. It depicts a very popular and well-known scene from the bible; the birth of Jesus Christ and the Three Kings who have traveled a long distance to see him. This type of picture is very popular and their are multiple types of this painting by many painters, but Botticelli’s painting has many aspects within the art that make it different from the others. The biggest difference that stands out is that Botticelli paints a portrait of himself standing in the background but in front of the painting, looking back directly to the beholder of the art. Another notable difference about his painting is that Botticelli depicts the three kings as Cosimo, Piero, and Giovanni Medici
Both Goddesses stand nude, slightly covering their genitalia; It’s as if Botticelli took on the modest look Praxiteles put forth. The only difference in the modesty shown is Venus’ long flowing locks some how managed to cover her slight indecent moment in time. Both men set forth a type of admiration for the women pictured in their pieces considering they gave them some kind of covering. When looking at the goddess’s facial expressions, we can see a very apparent deviance in their half smiles, as if they were caught. The Aphrodite represents a quite symmetrical body with even the softest features easily recognizable but, Botticelli was quite close to mimicking such. The Venus’ elongated neck with shoulders slightly sloped still can be compared to the soft features of Aphrodite. Aside from the standing contrapposto, the softness featured in both pieces is what simply draws them
Madonna of the Meadow was a painting by Raphael Sanzio, using the medium oil on panel in 1508. This painting expresses a sense of sweetness, softness, and overall a general, subtle, warm and comforting feeling. Venus of Urbino was painted by Titian in 1538, using the medium oil on canvas. This painting expresses a sensual feeling and one of lust and true beauty, quite different from Raphael’s painting. While both artists chose to use oil paint, which was common during that time, Raphael painted on paneling, whereas, Titian chose to paint on canvas.
Peter Taylor’s short story Venus, Cupid, Folly and Time tells the tale of an odd brother-sister duo, Alfred and Louisa Dorset, who reside in the small, presumably southern, town of Mero. From the very beginning, readers are led to believe that the Dorsets are more than just brother and sister – they are lovers. Several occurrences throughout the story hint at a depraved relationship, however the story offers no firm confirmation of an incestuous relationship actually occurring. Despite their peculiarities, Mr. and Miss Dorset seem to have a great deal of influence on the social traditions of the town, the most important one being the annual party they host for the young children in the community. These parties are exclusive events that
They also had the use of perspective and many times real people and settings were represented. Examples of these Renaissance paintings would be Sandro Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, Raphael’s School of Athens, and Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper. The Birth of Venus is a good example of humanism as the focus is Venus, the Roman goddess of love and Venus is standing contrapposto in the middle of the painting. The School of Athens is another perfect example as Greco-Roman architecture is prominent and the sculptures are painted in the contrapposto stance. The Last Supper expresses the idea that any individual had unlimited potential. Leonardo also uses facial expressions of the people to show who Christ
Lorenzo De Medici can be considered as one of the most influential men of the 13th century. His work in political affairs and administration were renowned in all Italy and his family could count on him in every aspect. Lorenzo was also a promoter of a new period called Renaissance. He was one of the first “mecenate” to explore this new way of art. In this project, I will concentrate how he developed art in Florence, giving a clear example through an Artist of that period that was working for him: Sandro Botticelli. His work “The Spring” is a well-defined example of what we can call “art in the Renaissance”, in particular for the Italian Renaissance.
The early Renaissance art in Florence focused on an elaborate, Gothic style of painting; very formal and traditional, yet there was always something that seemed to be lacking. Perspective and depth were two very important qualities in painting, yet up until the time of young Masaccio, (born Tommaso Guidi), paintings were beautiful, but seemed to just be art that hung on the wall. In Masaccio’s work, “rather than recede in space, the figures seem to come forward” (Cole 120). He may not have known it at the time, but his style of painting would influence many painters well after his death; Donatello, Michelangelo, and so on. Masaccio may have only painted for a total of 8 years, but during those 8 years he revolutionized not only the time of the Renaissance, but also the way painting could be created by the artist, and seen by its viewers. Through the use of linear perspective and astronomical instruments, he was able to create amazing works that defied the limits of the human eye, and allowed a painting to possess realistic depth. Through his skills, Masaccio was able to move away from the Gothic and elaborate style of the time, and his paintings reflect the first use of perspective in order to create a sense of a realistic, three dimensional world.
Venus in Botticelli's painting is a Renaissance beauty. During the Renaissance women were believed to look more attractive if they had some weight to them. It was believed that this weight make them more prepared for child birth, and basically healthier. Venus has weight in the painting. Without this weight I do not feel that she would have such a strong impact on her viewers. Another strong point of Venus's presence is her wonderful long and flowing red-orange hair. It flows around her body keeping her pose modest, yet revealing. In all of this beauty it can be easy to overlook the unnatural length of Venus's neck, and the steep fall of her shoulders. Venus's outline is wonderfully graceful, and it is the grace that makes the print so wholesome and beautiful. If Botticelli would have chosen a slimmer or less natural Venus the harmony of the picture would have been destroyed.
Peter Paul Rubens’ masterpiece, Venus and Adonis, is not only a significant artwork of the baroque-period in Europe during the 17th century, but it also tells the mythological story that begins with love, and ends in tragedy. Displayed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, this painting is admired for representing the unique baroque-style of this era, as well as Rubens’ particular use of the medium and how it reaches those who are viewing it. His attention to detail and crafty use of symbolism within the painting assist viewers in deciphering the story, along with the values of the time period in which Rubens was living. In studying the composition of the work and noting the historical context from which it came, one can ultimately understand Rubens’ point-of-view and thus, connect to the painting in a way he or she has never imagined.
The term Masochism derives from a proper name of a nineteenth century Austrian writer, Leopold von Sacher-Masoch. Many of Sacher-Masoch's works contain themes of sadomasochism and female dominance of the male. In his more or less famous autobiographical novel Venus in Furs (Venus im pelz,1870) the protagonist desires to be enslaved and mistreated. A year earlier , in 1869 , Masoch and his mistress Baroness Fanny Pistor signed a contract making him her slave for half a year, with the remarkable stipulation that the Baroness wear furs as often as possible, "especially when she was in a cruel mood".Details of Masoch's private life were published in memoirs of his first wife Aurora von Rümelin (My Life Confession Mein Lebensbeichte, 1906)whom he married to live out the experience of the novel .But the prefences of Aurora did not match those of him, and Masoch ,
Michelangelo di Ludovico Buonarroti Simoni was a painter, sculptor, architect, and poet. He was born on March 6, 1475 in, Caprese, Italy. He was the 2nd born of five sons. He passed away at the age of 88 years old on February 18th, 1564. He was one of the most famous Italian Renaissance artist. He became an apprentice to a painter before studying sculpture gardens of the power in the Medici family. Michelangelo had several works in his time. His most popular sculptures were “Pieta” and “David” Some of his painting are “Sistine Chapel” and “Last Judgment” The pieta painting had showed the “Virgin Mary holding of her son Jesus after he
The author of the Latin poem, The Vigil of Venus, remains a mystery, along with the date it was penned. Many have speculated who might have written this piece of poetry, but no one can be certain. It is assumed that it was written in early spring on the eve of the festival of Venus, and set it what might be Sicily. The writer is focused on the natural world, and seems motivated by love, spring, and hope of the renewal of both. Some believe this particular piece is seen through the eyes of Venus, known in Greek mythology as the mother of the Roman people. Critics might argue that this poem somehow suggests the imminent fall of the Roman Empire, and while I agree with this possible explanation, I could argue
The Venus of Willendorf and the Venus de Milo are two ancient day venus sculptures representing two different views on beauty. The Venus of Willendorf is a small 4.5 inch limestone figure of a Goddess which is believed to be used as a fertility symbol, while the Venus de Milo is a tall ancient Greek statue of a Goddess which is said to represent love and beauty. The Venus of Willendorf’s body structure is very different than that of Venus de Milo. The venus of Willendorf appears to be a short lady with a large emphasis on her reproductive organs, breasts and stomach area whereas the Venus de Milo appears to be very tall with smaller breasts, and a really athletic build. She appears to have abs and looks as if she has not had children before, while the Venus of Willendorf looks like she has had children due to her huge breasts and stretched out belly button. The Venus
Mars is the God of war; and Venus is the Goddess of love.(These are the Roman names for the Greek Gods; which in Greek Venus was called Aphrodite and Mars was actually called Aries.) The theme of this painting has to do with Roman mythology. Cupid is tying Mars and Venus together. There are many different explanations that people have came up with to explain this painting. There is always that tie between love and war, even the saying “make love not war”. The most common translation would be [Venus, the woman symbolizes chastity transformed by love into charity and that the horse held back by an armed cupid is an emblem of passion restrained](Metropolitan Museum of Art, pg.185)
Botticelli uses a vast number of techniques in this painting he uses the contrast of the figures with the dark outline of their bodies to have the pop off of the canvas, he used the robes and flowers to show the force and direction of Zephyors breath, elongated limbs to interest the viewer. Botticelli believed to have used the Golden ratio in this painting .The Golden Ratio or Phi (1.618) is basically creating and appreciating a sense of beauty through harmony and proportion. The Birth of Venus can be broken up into three vertical and horizontal, Zephyors and Chloris would be in the left, Venus in the center, and Horae to the right. The way Botticelli uses contrast to draw the viewer to the newly born deity with a dark outline around the body to show emphasis on her pale skin with soft pink or coral tones for shadow on the skin. The way he painted the hair as it gracefully drapes down to be gathered at her pelvis, by using mixture of a yellow ochre color to bring highlights and depth the goddess golden locks. Zephyors tanned skin glows against the soft blue from his silk like robe, Chloris clinging from him her pale skin emphasize his warmth .The use of drapery, waves, and even hair to show movement and direction, the darkness of the background and the bright