Sandro Botticelli
Born 1445, the Santa Maria Novella quarter, Florence, Italy
Life in the Renaissance
Alessandro di Mariano Filipepi grew up in Florence, receiving an education until around the age of 14. At this time, he was sent away to apprentice under Fra Filippo Lippi, learning his art style, as well as that of Masaccio. During the time while Lippi was away, Botticelli learned many techniques from he Pollaiuolo brothers. Sandro had much trouble in school and worked hard at painting. Later he became a follower of the crazed monk, Savonarola, causing him to change his style of life, and art, for the worse. Botticelli used oil on canvas to preserve his paintings longer and created many masterpieces using a traditional art style such as the ones below. His work reflects themes of skepticism and humanism although he went on to paint three fresco scenes in the Sistine Chapel. For much time, Botticelli was under the patronage of the Medici family, specifically Lorenzo de Medici.
Primavera
This piece shows women dancing in spring with a cupid overhead.
The Adoration of the Magi
This painting depicts Sandro himself at the birth of Christ.
The Birth of Venus
This is Botticelli's most famous, showing the birth of the Roman goddess of love, Venus.
Venus and Mars
Another one of Botticelli's great works, Venus and Mars was painted in 1485 and is now located in The National Gallery in London. This piece did not bring about any new techniques, and it shouldn't be expected to, as Botticelli followed the rules of Early Renaissance painters, not contributing modern ideas such as da Vinci an Michelangelo did. It illustrates Venus, the Roman goddess, awake and aware as Mars dozes across from her. This, as well as the satyrs disarming Mars, shows the power of love over war. This painting, along with many of his others, depict pagan ideas and beliefs, showing skepticism in a time when religion was beginning to lose power. I find Botticelli's use of pagan beliefs interesting as well as the theme of feminism in this piece, a strange concept at this time period. If one wished to see a picture of this piece they could follow this link : http://www.italian-renaissance-art.com/Venus-and-Mars.html
Works Cited
"Sandro Botticelli." Authors and Artists for Young Adults. Vol. 84. Detroit: Gale, 2010. Biography in Context. Web. 18 Nov. 2013.
AR: Sandro Botticelli, about 1445 - 1510
TI: Venus and Mars
DT: about 1485
DS: The National Gallery, London
DS: Bought, 1874
AA: ARTstor
CN: ANGLIG_10313767652
UR: http://library.artstor.org/library/secure/ViewImages?id=8D5JfzAoMloyLyw4fzx7RXou
AR: Sandro Botticelli
TI: Birth of Venus
DT: c. 1482
DS: Florence, Galleria degli Uffizi
AA: ARTstor
CN: SCALA_ARCHIVES_1031314669
UR: http://library.artstor.org/library/secure/ViewImages?id=4iFCeTg4NCciJy8laCt2KngqXXspeF98dg%3D%3D
AR: Sandro Botticelli
TI: Primavera
TI: Allegory of Spring
DT: c. 1478
DS: Galleria degli Uffizi
AA: ARTstor
CN: SCALA_ARCHIVES_1031314668
UR: http://library.artstor.org/library/secure/ViewImages?id=4iFCeTg4NCciJy8laCt2KngqXXspeF98dw%3D%3D
AR: Sandro Botticelli
TI: Adoration of the Magi
DT: c. 1475
DS: Galleria degli Uffizi
AA: ARTstor
CN: SCALA_ARCHIVES_1039488886
UR: http://library.artstor.org/library/secure/ViewImages?id=4iFCeTg4NCciJy8laCt2KngqVXQnfV18dw%3D%3D