Click here!
for all available art prints by Sandro Botticelli
Sandro Botticelli
(1444-1510)
Sandro Botticelli was a Florentine painter of the Renaissance. He was a student of Fra Filippo Lippi, considered the best Florentine painter of that time and perfected his art with Andrea Verrocchio, who created the bust of Lucrezia Donati. Botticelli's style of delicate coloring can be seen in such early works as the Adoration of the Kings, and Chigi Madonna.About 1470, he decided that he was talented enough as a painter to go out on his own. Botticelli was soon commissioned to paint the famous Allegory of Fortitude. Elements of the more vigorous style of Pollaiuolo and Verrocchio soon entered his paintings in such works as 'St. Augustine', and 'Portrait of a Young Man'. He went on to become one of the greatest colorists in Florence. In 1481 he was called on by Pope Sixtus IV to help decorate the Sistine Chapel where he painted three biblical frescoes. He would later return to Florence, where he was enormously popular. Because of his fame he was able to enter Florentine society. This would lead Botticelli in becoming a favorite painter of the a royal family known as the Medici. This led to his famous work 'Adoration of the Magi' which included portraits of the Madici in the picture. Because of his association with the Medici he would be introduced to the Neoplatonic circle and by the ideas of Ficino and Poliziano.
Botticelli was influenced by the Humanists of his day, as seen in his mythological allegories, Spring, Birth of Venus, Mars and Venus, and Pallas Subduing a Centaur. These works are intended to depict the triumph of love and reason over brutal instinct. During the 1490s it is believed that he drew the visionary illustrations for the Divine Comedy. After this he would create a series of radiant Madonnas, including the 'Magnificat and the Madonna of the Pomegranate'. Religious passion can be seen in 'The Nativity', Last Communion of St. Jerome and Pietà.
Botticelli's depiction of the ideal of feminine beauty is shown in his mythological paintings donefor the Medici. The most notable is his painting 'The Birth Of Venus'. The classical Goddess Venus is emerging from the water on a shell, held up by the Zephyrs, symbols of spiritual passions. The naked goddess is intended to represent spiritual love.
In the years leading up to his death Botticelli's linear style was considered out of date. Sandro Botticelli's work was rediscoverd during the late 19th century, when his female figures would influence the Pre-Raphaelites, his flowing line would be an inspiration for Art Nouveau.
For Art Works of Sandro Botticelli Click Here!
Fine
art prints