THE BIRTH OF VENUS PDF, EPUB, EBOOK Sarah Dunant | 432 pages | 03 Jan 2013 | Little, Brown Book Group | 9781844089123 | English | London, United Kingdom Botticelli The Birth of Venus - What is the meaning of this painting? However, we do not know which member of that family was responsible for commissioning the painting. Venus is depicted standing upright in an oversized clamshell, her posture is unstable and off balance, her hands attempt to modestly cover her statuesque beauty as her long, golden hair billows in the breeze. She rises from the sea looking like a classical statue and floating on a seashell in what is surely one of the most recognisable images in the history of art. On Venus' right is Zephyrus, God of Winds, he carries with him the gentle breeze Aura and together they blow the Goddess of Love ashore. The title of the painting is misleading according to mythology Venus was actually born from the genitals of Uranus, God of the sky. The model for Venus is thought to be Simonetta Cattaneo de Vespucci, a great beauty and favourite of the Medici court. Botticelli also used Simonetta as the model for several other wom en in his paintings supporting the view that he was actually in love with her. In fact, Simonetta died at the young age of twenty-two and Botticelli expressed a wish to be buried at her feet. It is thought that Simonetta was born at Portovenere in Liguria, romantically this is the birthplace of the goddess Venus. However, it is an unusual subject for the time, as most Renaissance artists used themes from the teachings of the Catholic church for their paintings. The mythological works by Botticelli, The Venus, " Primavera ", and " Pallas and the Centaur ", typify his pagan phase. What a fantastic image by Botticelli, you have to admire his simple, but very effective line drawing. This will always be Again a beautifully executed double image of the gods. Is "Aura" yet another portrait of Simonetta Vespucci, the second within the same painting? It probably is, in any case, this detail is filled with a harmonious tenderness and perhaps highlights the depth of feeling that Botticelli had for Simonetta. Does he imagine himself as the God of Winds, embracing the love of his life in his arms? This is a work of tempera on canvas. During this time, wood panels were popular surfaces for painting, and they would remain popular through the end of the sixteenth century. Canvas, however, was starting to gain acceptance by painters. It worked well in humid regions, such as Venice, because wooden panels tended to warp in such climates. Canvas also cost less than wood, but it was also considered to be less formal, which made it more appropriate for paintings that would be shown in non-official locations e. The theme of the Birth of Venus was taken from the writings of the ancient poet, Homer. According to the traditional account, after Venus was born, she rode on a seashell and sea foam to the island of Cythera. In the painting we see here, Venus is prominently depicted in the center, born out of the foam as she rides to shore. On shore, a figure who has been identified as Pomona, or as the goddess of Spring, waits for Venus with mantle in hand. The composition is similar in some respects to that of the Primavera. Venus is slightly to the right of center, and she is isolated against the background so no other figures overlap her. She has a slight tilt of the head, and she leans in an awkward contrapposto-like stance. Botticelli paid much attention to her hair and hairstyle, which reflected his interest in the way women wore their long hair in the late fifteenth century. He gave Venus an idealized face which is remarkably free of blemishes, and beautifully shaded her face to distinguish a lighter side and a more shaded side. Of obvious importance in this painting is the nudity of Venus. The depiction of nude women was not something that was normally done in the Middle Ages, with a few exceptions in specific circumstances. For the modeling of this figure, Botticelli turned to an Aphrodite statue, such as the Aphrodite of Cnidos, in which the goddess attempts to cover herself in a gesture of modestly. In painting Venus, Botticelli painted a dark line around the contours of her body. This made it easier to see her bodily forms against the background, and it also emphasized the color of her milky skin. The result of all of this is that Venus almost looks like her flesh is made out of marble, underscoring the sculpturesque nature of her body. Here, Renaissance humanism was open not only to the use of a pagan sculpture as a model, but also a pagan narrative for the subject matter. The Birth of Venus - Wikipedia Like the Primavera, the Birth of Venus is also associated with the concept of Humanitas,or virtuous Humanity, a theory developed by Marsilio Ficino in a letter to the young Lorenzo. According to the interpretation by Ernst Gombrich, the work depicts the symbolic fusion of Spirit and Matter, the harmonious interaction of Idea and Nature. Nevertheless, the interpretations of this painting of extraordinary visual impact are numerous and diverse. It is for this reason that the humanist Ugolino Verino in his work Epigrammata, presented in to the King of Hungary , Matthias Corvinus, likened the Florentine painter to the legendary Apelles of Ancient Greece. That Obscure Object of Desire. La Primavera Spring From related movement. Pallas and the Centaur Created around the same time. This "beyond the book" feature is available to non-members for a limited time. Join today for full access. A Piece of the World. About this book. More books by this author. From the 1 New York Times bestselling author of the smash hit Orphan Train, a stunning and atmospheric novel of friendship, passion, and art, inspired by Andrew Wyeth's mysterious and iconic painting Christina's World. Of Arms and Artists. A fascinating look at how the art world viewed the American Revolution, and how their work still effects the way we view those events today. A multigenerational story about two families bound together by the tides of history. Reader Reviews. Master storyteller Ben Macintyre tells the true story behind the Cold War's most intrepid female spy. BookBrowse seeks out and recommends the best in contemporary fiction and nonfiction— books that not only engage and entertain but also deepen our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. Subscribe to receive some of our best reviews, "beyond the book" articles, book club info, and giveaways by email. The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant. Write a Review. Book Summary A compulsively absorbing story of love, art, religion and power set in Florence during the Renaissance and told through the passionate voice of a heroine with the same vibrant spirit as her beloved city. Chapter 1 Looking back now, I see it more as an act of pride than kindness that my father brought the young painter back with him from the North that spring. Read Full Excerpt. Please be aware that this discussion guide may contain spoilers! Alessandra has the will and the talent to be a painter. However, she does not have the training or the social opportunity she needs. How well does The Birth of Venus explain why there are no women's names in the great roll call of artistic geniuses of the Renaissance? The image of the serpent with a human head is a motif that runs through the novel in many different forms. He was overshadowed by revered characters such as Michelangelo and Leonardo. Botticelli went through a moral and artistic crisis during the political turmoil that put the religious fanatic Savonarola in charge of Florentine government. Fortunately Botticelli The Birth of Venus was not among them. Email address:. Tuscany is church-spotting heaven. Beyond the famous Cathedrals of Florence, Pisa and Siena, lie scores Botticelli The Birth of Venus — What is the meaning of this painting? Why is she on a shell? The myth behind the painting Venus, according to the Greek poet Hesiod who wrote the Theogony, was born out of sea foam. Your friendly online guide to Florence and Tuscany. Get our insider travel tips delivered to your mailbox every month. Explore more of Tuscany. Tuscany is famous for its charming small towns, Medieval hilltop hamlets and scenic walled towns rich with atmosphere. Best Experiences and Places to visit in Tuscany in ! Looking for the best places to visit in Tuscany in ? Think real experiences that connect you with nature, heritage, and the soul of this wonderful region. Aside from top timeless destinations like Florence, The Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli - Facts about the Painting Like the Primavera, the Birth of Venus is also associated with the concept of Humanitas,or virtuous Humanity, a theory developed by Marsilio Ficino in a letter to the young Lorenzo. According to the interpretation by Ernst Gombrich, the work depicts the symbolic fusion of Spirit and Matter, the harmonious interaction of Idea and Nature. Nevertheless, the interpretations of this painting of extraordinary visual impact are numerous and diverse. It is for this reason that the humanist Ugolino Verino in his work Epigrammata, presented in to the King of Hungary , Matthias Corvinus, likened the Florentine painter to the legendary Apelles of Ancient Greece. That Obscure Object of Desire. La Primavera Spring From related movement. Pallas and the Centaur Created around the same time. Full Review words.