The Birth of Venus by Botticelli
The Birth of Venus was completed by Botticelli in 1485. It is located in Florence and was commissioned by the Medici family. It was speculated that the Medici family had it commissioned for a wedding.
The Birth of Venus is a well known painting that is a prime example of the humanist depictions of the Italian renaissance. Derived from Roman mythology, Venus is an olympian goddess of love, beauty, and fertility, which makes sense as to why it was speculated that the Medici family commissioned this piece for a wedding.
The painting illustrates Venus being born at sea and arriving on shore on a shell, blown by the winds. She is met by a woman holding a cloak to cloth her. I think one of the details I find most appealing in this painting is the movement captured by the wind almost caressing her long hair and billowing the robe that is about to cover her. Venus is also posed almost shyly as she uses her arms to minimally cover her bare body. Nudity and the human form, being another humanist basis captured in this painting.
Another element of this painting I find appealing is the way all the main components of the painting (Venus, the wind gods, and the woman covering her) are all placed in the very front of the landscape.You can see the linear perspective used to make the sea appear to go on for miles behind them. As well as Venus being placed right in the center of the piece, it is obvious the purpose of this is for viewers to appreciate her.
Works Cited
Hi Taylor,
ReplyDeleteI find this painting very interesting. Before when I looked at art like this, I never put the history behind it all together. Throughout the research this week and reading these blogs, it’s amazing to see how popular this humanistic take was during this time. Not only that, but it’s cool to see all these different takes these artist took to the theme to make it their own. I liked how you pointed out the movement you see in this painting. It kind of catches your eye immediately. Movement is a great element of art that can improve a painting by a lot and make all the difference.
Hello Taylor.
ReplyDeleteI love how the figures were placed in this piece. Venus is placed right in the center and is the focal point. I love to hear the backstories and what is actually going on in these pieces, it gives much needed context and depth. Thank you.
I find it interesting looking at pieces from this era. Many of the artists were obsessed with to the point that they could not function unless performing their works. It is uncommon to find this level of dedication to art nowadays. Why do they always seem to limit themselves to the style of their era? The proportions and style always relate to the movement as opposed to what their abilities could have produced. This painting also makes me wonder, during a time of religious tumult, why the focus on deities?
ReplyDeleteIt's easy to see how the humanist movement influenced this painting as beauty takes center stage, along with the linear perspective. I ended up looking into one of your sources, the article by Christopher Jones, and it was interesting to go into the details and what each part of the painting could possibly represent based on the era and themes of the painting.
ReplyDeleteI also appreciate the ways Venus is given center focus in this painting. As you said the fact that she along with the other people in the painting are placed in the front of a vast background really makes them stick out. On top of that the people on the two sides of Venus are giving their full attention to her, while she looks off towards the viewer. It really forces you to notice her and take the time to appreciate her beauty.
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