So I have decided to have Friday Art! I am an Art History major and I LOVE learning about the historical aspects of art...specially Italian Renaissance. So be prepared for a lot of art from this period. I hope you all enjoy!
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So today we have The Birth of Venus by Botticelli - This is one of my absolute favorites. It was painted between 1492-1496 and is located in the Uffizi in Florence and it is huge. It measures 67.9" x 109.6"! I was so impressed with the sheer size of this painting.
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In this painting the classical goddess Venus emerges from the water on a shell, blown towards shore by the Zephyrs, symbols of spiritual passions. She is joined by one of the Horae, goddesses of the seasons, who hands her a flowered cloak.
The effect is distinctly pagan, considering it was made at a time and place when most artworks depicted Roman Catholic themes. It is somewhat surprising that this canvas escaped the flames of Savonarola's bonfires, where a number of Botticelli's other alleged pagan influenced works perished. Botticelli was very close to Lorenzo de' Medici. Because of their friendship and Lorenzo's power, this work was spared from Savonarola's fires.
The effect is distinctly pagan, considering it was made at a time and place when most artworks depicted Roman Catholic themes. It is somewhat surprising that this canvas escaped the flames of Savonarola's bonfires, where a number of Botticelli's other alleged pagan influenced works perished. Botticelli was very close to Lorenzo de' Medici. Because of their friendship and Lorenzo's power, this work was spared from Savonarola's fires.
