The Renaissance: The Birth of Venus
Sandro Botticelli, The Birth of Venus (c. 1484–1486). Tempera on canvas. 172.5 cm × 278.9 cm (67.9 in × 109.6 in). Uffizi , Florence The Birth of Venus , by the artist Alessandro Botticelli during the Italian Renaissance, depicts the moment when, having emerged from the sea in a shell, Venus lands at Paphos in Cyprus. Zephyrus and the breeze Aura blows her towards the shore, while a Hora of Spring stands on dry land to wrap a cloak covered with spring flowers around Venus to cover her nudity. Venus is depicted with smooth, delicate skin and golden curls. The modeling and flesh color give her the appearance of a statue, a highly regarded medium in Florence at the time. The painting depicts she is born to the world as the goddess of beauty, and we witness this act of creation through this painting. As she lifts a foot to step off her shell, the winds shower her with roses. According to mythology, the rose flowered for the first time when Venus was born, while...