Birth of Venus

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer discusses that the "Birth of Venus" by Sandro Botticelli is an important work in the study of art. The writer notes that this late-15th century painting reflects the struggle many Italian artists felt between the great history and traditions of their land, and the strong influence of the Catholic church. The writer points out that both of these influences are present in the "Birth of Venus", even though the painting depicts a pagan theme. The writer concludes that at a time when many pagan works of art were destroyed, including Botticelli pieces, the "Birth of Venus" was somehow spared.


Outline:
Birth of Venus: Specifications
Iconography and Meaning
Style
Historical Context
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Botticelli's depiction of the water on which Venus rides could be described as iconography. While Botticelli paints complex and accurate human figures, the water is very simple; it is a blue field with some lines representing waves, and it looks almost like a blue carpet. When we compare that to how water is often represented in other works of art as a powerful, and sometime dangerous, force, we can conclude that Botticelli made the sea simple for a reason."
"In Roman mythology, the gods had the power to control nature, so it would have been inappropriate for Venus to ride to shore on large and dangerous waves. Botticelli made the water simple, calm and flat to show how it could be completely tamed by the gods."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Art archive: Venus (No date). Retrieved March 29, 2007, from http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/mythology/images/venus_art_archive.html.
• The Birth of Venus: Spring (No date). Retrieved March 29, 2007, from http://www.bergerfoundation.ch/Sandro/44venusprintemps_english.html.
• Botticelli (2002). Retrieved March 28, 2007, from http://www.loggia.com/art/renaissance/botticelli02.htm.
• Botticelli, Sandro, real name Alessandro di Mariano Filipepi (No date). Retrieved March 27, 2007, from http://www.latifm.com/artists/Botticelli_Sandro.html.
• Gombrich, E. H. (No date). Botticelli, Sandro. Retrieved March 28, 2007, from http://www.artchive.com/artchive/B/botticelli/venus_text.jpg.html.

More papers on Birth of Venus:

• Descriptive Essay # 93734 : "Botticelli's "The Birth of Venus"
• Analytical Essay # 146637 : "Myth within Art and" The Birth of Venus "
• Descriptive Essay # 8184 : "Botticelli's "Birth of Venus"

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