So, why is this painting so famous?
Before examining these characteristics, however, it is important to understand the context of the prominent painting.
Upon returning to Florence, he resumed regularly painting Roman Catholic depictions.
‘The Birth of Venus' (c. 1486) (Photo viaWikimedia Commons)
However, he also began to dabble in new subject matter: Greek and Roman mythology.
Additionally, both pieces are rendered in tempera paint, a traditional medium made of pigment and egg yolk.
The Birth of Venusshows the recently-born Venus, the Roman goddess associated with love and beauty.
‘Scenes from the life of Moses' -in the Sistine Chapel (c. 1480) (Photo viaWikimedia Commons)
Standing nude in an enlarged scallop shell, she is flanked by three figures from Classical mythology.
Similar to thecontrapposto(s-shaped) stance ofMichelangelo’sDavid, theVenus Pudicais a pose characterized by asymmetry.
TheVenus de' Medici, a Hellenistic sculpture, illustrates this.
Detail of Venus
At the time, however, it was among the first pieces showcasing this approach.
However, their pieces mostly remained rooted in Christian iconography.
WithThe Birth of Venus, Botticelli revived the mythological interests found in Classical antiquity.
Detail of Zephyr and Chloris
Detail of Flora
Left: ‘The Venus de' Medici ‘ (first century BCE) (Photo: Wai Laam Lo viaWikimedia Commons)
‘The Venus de Milo' (101 BCE) (Photo:Bradley WeberviaWikimedia Commons)
