Renaissance Blog

Introduction

This painting shows Venus, the Roman goddess of love, arriving on to the shore of Cyprus, an island in the Mediterranean. She has been blown to this island by the god Zephyr and is presented to a young woman who is holding out a cloak. She is presented on a scallop shell where she could be compared to a pearl. It is theorized that this painting was commissioned by a member of the Medici family however there isn’t substantial proof to back this theory fully.

Humanism

The Birth of Venus by Botticelli truly reflects humanistic ideals. The humanism movement was focused on man being the creator of all and having the liberty to shape their own lives and destiny. The proportion of the figures are purposefully off from what a real human would look like to show case the beauty standards of the time. Some of these standards are seen in the proportions of the figures in this painting such as Venus’s long blond hair and long delicate neck.

Opinion

I think that this piece is very beautiful but not necessarily awe inspiring by any means. I really love how detailed everything in this painting is from the waters delicate wave to the how all the fabric flows. one of my favorite aspects of this painting is how Botticelli painted the toes on the woman clinging onto Zephyr. it looks like he just kinda gave up and I can really relate to that because hands and feet are extremely hard to draw.

Citations

Italian Renaissance Art – Humanism, www.artyfactory.com/art_appreciation/art_movements/italian-renaissance/italian-renaissance-art-humanism.html.

“The Birth of Venus by Botticelli: Artworks: Uffizi Galleries.” The Birth of Venus by Botticelli | Artworks | Uffizi Galleries, www.uffizi.it/en/artworks/birth-of-venus.