AHST 1304 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Sandro Botticelli, Uffizi, Nudity
Document Summary
Makes sense, renaissance is rebirth of greek and roman subjects. Humanists - read everything they could from ancient times. Ancient greek and legends were read and put in art. It takes a patron to know its classicism to sponsor artwork like this. Botticelli, birth of venus, c. 1484-86, uffizi, florence, italy. Venus was born in the sea, given drapery. Wind gods are blowing her away to escort her to shore. Flowing hair/drapery, similar to ghiberti - grace, elegance. In the spring, orange trees in the background. Venus is in her role as goddess of love to preside over a marriage. 3 ladies are goddesses who accompany venus (3 graces), elegant poses, drapery/translucent fabric. God mercury with caduceus is shooting clouds away to make the event/venus"s thing happy. Cupid is over venus, shooting the arrow over the. Complex mythology would only appreciate this kind of art. Zephyr, wind god, pursues nymph god, and transforms into flora.
