Sandro Botticelli, also known as Alessandro di Mariano di Vanni Filipepi, (1445-1510) was an Italian painter of the Early Renaissance. Botticelli was born in Florence and began his artistic training in the workshop of a goldsmith, but later moved on to become an apprentice in the workshop of Fra Filippo Lippi, a leading painter of the time. He likely trained under Lippi in the 1460s and soon became one of the most talented painters of his generation.
Botticelli began to establish himself as a successful painter in Florence. He was commissioned to paint frescoes and altarpieces for churches and private patrons. He was also a member of the prestigious Florentine painter’s guild called the Compagnia di San Luca.
Sandro Botticelli Birth of Venus
In 1481, Botticelli was commissioned by the powerful Medici family to paint a series of mythological scenes for their palace. This commission led to his most famous works, including Primavera, The Birth of Venus, Adoration of the Magi, Chart of Hell, Mars and Venus, and The Trials of Moses. These paintings, which depict mythological scenes, are considered masterpieces of the Early Renaissance period and are still widely admired and studied today.
The Birth of Venus (1485-1486, top) and La Primavera (1477-1482, bottom)
Botticelli’s style began to change in the 1490s. He abandoned the mythological themes of his earlier works and began to focus on religious subjects. He also abandoned the use of bright colors and began to use a more subdued palette. Some art historians believe that this change in style was influenced by the rise of the religious reform movement in Florence known as the Fra Angelico and Savonarola.
Botticelli died in Florence in 1510. He was not as celebrated at the time of his death as he is today, and his works were almost forgotten for centuries. However, in the 19th century, his art was rediscovered and he became one of the most celebrated artists of the Renaissance period. Today, his works are considered masterpieces and are widely admired and studied.
Adoration of the Magi (c. 1475-1476, left) and Chart of Hell (right)
Sandro Botticelli paintings
Sandro Botticelli’s art is characterized by his use of elegant figures, delicate details, and a subtle sense of movement. He was known for his ability to create a sense of serenity and harmony in his paintings, and for his use of vibrant colors and bold brushstrokes. He was a master of tempera painting on panel and fresco painting, and his use of these mediums allowed him to create rich, textured surfaces and to capture the subtle nuances of light and shadow.
Mars and Venus (1483, top) and The Trials of Moses (1481-1482, right)
One of the hallmarks of Botticelli’s art is his use of mythological themes. His early works, such as Primavera and The Birth of Venus, depict scenes from Greek and Roman myths and are considered masterpieces of the Early Renaissance period. These paintings are known for their sensuous figures, which are depicted in poses that are both graceful and erotic. The use of mythological themes in his paintings gives them a timeless quality and makes them appealing to many different audiences.
Another hallmark of Botticelli’s art is his use of vibrant colors and bold brushstrokes. He was known for his use of warm colors, such as reds, yellows, and oranges, to create a sense of movement and drama. He also used a technique called sfumato which was to layer different colors on top of one another in order to create a sense of depth and movement.
