Sandro Botticelli - Venus and Mars

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Inspired by Sandro Botticelli - Venus and Mars - 1483

This painting is as much about the satyrs as the Gods. The little satyrs are playing with Mars’ armor, which he has discarded. The satyr in the bottom right hand corner of the painting, rolling his eyes and sticking out his tongue, has attracted some attention in the art history world. It stems from the curious fruit under his hand. It has been suggested that this is datura stramonium aka Devil’s Snare or Locoweed. A hallucinogen that has induced Mars’ drugged sleep. Experts at Kew Gardens in London, have confirmed that the plant is indeed Datura. I think this is a bigger myth than the Gods themselves,

since Datura is a South American native. Based on the date of the painting Christopher Columbus would’ve had to make a trial run to bring it to Europe. However, the interpretation and significance of this are still being discussed. As wonderful and virtuous most people may think Venus was, this is a scene of adultery. Venus was married to Vulcan, God of fire, who was not so good looking and spent all his time at the forge. She has run away to be with Mars.

To see the original: https://bit.ly/3t1RYhi

Sandro Botticelli - The Birth of Venus

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Inspired by: Sandro Botticelli - The Birth of Venus

This painting is all about Venus, and how Botticelli wanted to immortalize her. Not because of the goddess of love she represents, but because he was madly in love with the model, Simonetta Vespucci. Simonetta was born in 1453. At the age of 15, she arrived in Florence with her husband Marco. Marco’s family was connected to the Medici, so they were invited to court. It was there that Simonetta’s beauty became legendary. She didn’t just look like Venus, but totally embodied her grace and charisma.She modelled for Botticelli, di Cosimo and other painters who attempted to capture her remarkable features. She became Botticelli’s muse and is found in a number of his paintings. Her presents filled his masterpiece “Primavera”, where many, if not all, of the women are modelled after her. She died at the age of 22 from tuberculosis. This painting was created posthumously, almost ten years later. After those many years Botticelli still had a clear vision of her face and body. At the time of Botticelli’s death in 1510 he was penniless. His work had gone out of favor after Michelagelo and Raphael hit town. On his death bed, he asked to be buried at Simonetts’s feet, and that is where he lies today.

To see original: https://bit.ly/3y4qxTd

Sandro Botticelli - Primavera

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Inspired by: Sandro Botticelli , Primavera

Many believe this painting was commissioned by Medicis as a gift on the occasion of a family wedding. Though the ceremony took place in July, the nuptial was originally scheduled for May, making spring an appropriate subject matter. In the painting, nine mythological figures appear in an orange grove (a reference to the Medicis). All around them, sprout hundreds of flowers in bloom. There are almost 500 blossoms, representing about 200 different species of which 130 have been specifically identified. The characters in the painting are intended to be identified in order from right to left to suggest the progression of the Spring season. Zephyrus god of March, followed by Venus, the goddess of April, and Mercury, the god of May. Mercury uses his caduceus to disperse the wisps of clouds in preparation for the oncoming summer. The caduceus is Mercury’s magic wand entwined by two serpents. It became a symbol of the medical profession. To see original: https://bit.ly/2FC6z83