ipl-logo

Sandro Botticelli Venus And Mars

1016 Words5 Pages

Venus and Mars is a c. 1485 Italian Renaissance oil painting, created by Florentine artist Sandro Botticelli. This painting depicts the meaning of love, exhibiting themes of traditional romanticism. It is understood that Botticelli’s Venus and Mars implies the message, love conquers war or perhaps that love conquers all. Mars, the god of war, was one of Venus, the goddess of Love’s many illicit lovers. Pictured, are both mythological Roman gods, in a tale of attraction, bravery, and an adulterous affair. This classical antiquity will be examined in detail, through visual observations of the three key elements: composition, style, and iconography. Botticelli illustrates the goddess Venus, in a sophisticated and voluptuous manner, whilst incorporating …show more content…

Gods, and goddesses were painted with objects, enabling audiences to identify them, and the part of their legend that artworks depict. Botticelli, was among early Renaissance artists, who combined symbols, to create complex tales within pieces of art. Venus and Mars, is a classic painting for highlighting iconography. Here, Mars can be viewed with features which correlate with the myths of the Greek god of war, Ares. For example, a lance and armour is theatrically placed around him. Cheekily, the satyrs in this image, have stolen Mars’ lance. Botticelli most likely added this detail comically, to express that Mars is now disarmed. The atmosphere of this painting also exhibits iconography. Perhaps, the woodland is symbolic of the garden of the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite. There is a myrtle tree in the background, which is likewise associated with Venus. Also, in Greek Mythology, satyrs were mythological creatures who dwelled in woodlands and were passionately doting of youthful women. Satyrs were exclusively attracted to Nymphs with gentle and beautiful nature …show more content…

However, Mars is viewed slumbering the 'little death ', which is a state of weakening of consciousness where the sensation of orgasm is compared to death. In this setting, Mars’ slumber is possibly subsequent to making love with Venus. It is evident Mars is deeply unconscious, as not even a trumpet in his ear will wake him. Humorously Botticelli also added wasps above Mars’ head, and they too have not stirred him. Botticelli wrote the Italian word ‘vespé’ on the top right corner of the painting, which translates as ‘the wasps’. Conceivably, this phrase may be grasped as, the stings of illicit love. Forbidden love, is a reoccurring theme in the story of Venus and Mars. Their adulterous affair, is met with the company of satyrs who mythically are much more evil than they appear, and were likely included to reiterate that the act of illicit love is being observed. Overall, Botticelli painted a humorous, charming and timeless depiction of Venus and Mars. He strikes at our humanity, through giving godly characters a tale which is relatable to our own lives. No matter how much or how little one may know about the story of Venus and Mars or Botticelli himself, one can still be enlightened by the creative wit presented in this piece of art. The theme of the power of love overwhelms the concepts of what is illicit. Botticelli intertwines both the contemporary with the classicism. This

Show More
Related

  • Lady Of The Unicorn Analysis

    965 Words  | 4 Pages

    4) is another outstanding example of Raphael’s Roman portraits. At the centre of this harmonious composition Raphael adds a curious psychological note in the melancholy eyes that illuminate the cardinal’s pallid and exhausted countenance. The portrait has been drawn in accordance with Leonardo’s opinion that portraits can be drawn best with a dark background. A reference to dark backgrounds may remind the reader of Raphael’s Florentine period under the influence of Leonardo when he produced “Granduca Madonna” (fig. 5), the masterpiece where he was able to draw exquisite rhythmical modulations out of the motionless simplicity of the design. Giorgio Vasari noted that Raphael excelled in creating effects of drapery folds disappearing into shadows and coming forward into light, and that he knew how to relate the colours of drapery to the flesh tones so that semi-nude figures did not seem cut into two.

    Read More

  • Giovanni Piranesi Artwork Analysis

    793 Words  | 4 Pages

    Here are some of his famous artworks: The Adoration of the Magi, Primavera, and The Birth of Venus, the three artworks that I had listed are my three favorite artworks. The Birth of Venus is my favorite artwork in Botticelli’s collection. This artwork is about a women name Venus; she was born from the shore after the God of West Wind blow the shore. When she was born, Goddess of the Season is waiting outside to clothe her. After that, The Adoration of the Magi, and Primavera are also some of his famous artworks that help him to establish his

    Read More

  • Hellenistic Art: The Pietà Vs. David

    235 Words  | 1 Pages

    The Pietà represents a conglomeration of both Greek periods. It is Hellenistic due to its emotional characteristics. Hellenistic art was known for its imperfection; it shows human emotion and realism of human qualities such as scars or messy hair. But it is also Hellenic due to some of its characteristics of perfection. The Virgin Mary’s face is youthful and perfect.

    Read More

  • Woman In Black At The Opera Analysis

    985 Words  | 4 Pages

    The two pieces of art I will discuss is Edouard Manet’s ‘Olympia’ and Mary Cassatt 's ‘Woman in Black at the Opera’. Manet’s Olympia was not critically accepted, the reaction to his painting was negative, only four critics out of sixty were favorably disposed to Olympia. Olympia was a derivative of Titian 's Venus. In 1863 the critics and the viewers didn’t know how to take Olympia, “they were unable to cope with so many novel factors and so they were unable to categorize the picture and so were unable to analyze it or understand it in any context” (Laurence, 2012). Nowadays we are more open minded and are able to see the painting in a different light.

    Read More

  • Venus De Milo Analysis

    746 Words  | 3 Pages

    Uncontrolled emotionalism and shameful truth were now common characteristics to most of them. Still throughout the hellenistic, many sculptures were distinguished by their calmness, grace, and compassion for human suffering. The Ancient Greek sculptures were commonly made from stone or wood and very few of them are still existing to this day. Many were made to reflect the image of a freestanding human form even when the statue was of a god, and for this reason many of the sculptures were naked, the Greeks saw nudity as something beautiful. Other of the sculptures showed athletic figures, to essentially portray what the Greeks perceived as an ideal human and what it should look

    Read More

  • Lucretia Romana Analysis

    769 Words  | 4 Pages

    Art Analysis Essay In the work Lucrezia Romana by Giovanni Pietro Rizzoli, otherwise known as Giampietrino, there stands a contorted woman with a dagger nearly piercing her own flesh as she waits to take her own life. The figure, Lucretia, is a character from the ancient Roman period who was said to have been raped by the son of the tyrannical ruler of Rome. The oil painting on wood was completed in 1540 in the city of Milan, in the midst of the High Renaissance period. While Giampietrino’s painting stands as a remarkable piece of artwork, it must be noted that a lot of the stylistic qualities he implements into the work are extremely similar to that of Leonardo Da Vinci’s.

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Madonna And Child With The Two Angels

    1271 Words  | 6 Pages

    Artwork is a form of self-expression from an artist based on life experience, or on something that the artist feels strongly about (Berenson, 87). The product of art can help others with similar experiences but not able to express the same feeling themselves. From the product of art, people can start drawing excitement, purpose as well as encouragement about the real thing being expressed. Through a piece of art, the artist can communicate a purpose, an emotion or an idea in their work. In this research paper, I compare two pieces of artwork; Madonna and child with the saints by Giovanni Bellini and Madonna and child with the two angels done by Fra Filippo Lippi.

    Read More

  • Venus Of Urbino And Cranach's Nymph Of The Spring

    494 Words  | 2 Pages

    At a first glance, it is apparent that Titian’s Venus of Urbino and Cranach’s Nymph of the Spring share many similarities. One major similarity between these two pieces is the time period in which both were made in. Titian’s Venus of Urbino was made in 1538 while Cranach’s Nymph of the Spring was created around the year 1537. Both paintings depict women laying down comfortably in the nude as the main subjects of each piece. Both pieces could be considered portraits of these women.

    Read More

  • Greek, Roman, Baroque, And Baroque Time Periods Of Art

    1050 Words  | 5 Pages

    Thousands of paintings and sculptures were made in these periods of time. In this essay, I will imagine myself being a curator of an art gallery that has a Greek room, a Roman room, an Early Christian room, a Gothic room, a Renaissance room, and a Baroque room. I will select two pieces for each room and discuss why I would put those paintings and sculptures in each room at the gallery. I will explain two pieces that I would place in the Greek room at the gallery. The first piece is a painting called "Amphora".

    Read More

  • Aphrodite Greek Analysis

    732 Words  | 3 Pages

    UXT Task 2 Austin Olooaringo (ID# 000556089) Western Governors University Work: Alexandros of Antioch, Venus de Milo, c. 130−100 BC Period: classical Period A1. Initial Thoughts My initial thought was the display of feminine beauty and grace as seen from an artist perspective dating back in time. The goddess Aphrodite is a sculptural elegance that has continued to fascinate the art world and remains relevant from the time of its discovery on the island of Melos around 1820. Her posture and demeanor reflect confidence of her personality and womanhood.

    Read More

  • Comparison Of Raphael's Galatea And Botticelli

    745 Words  | 3 Pages

    Botticelli's The Birth of Venus was created in 1482-1486. It is a tempera on canvas. Tempera on canvas is a type of painting which is painted on oil painitng cloth. Botticelli's The Birth of Venus is a horizontal painting, which scaled 5'8" x 9'1. Raphael's Galatea, on the other hand, was created in 1513.

    Read More

  • How Did Culture Influence Ancient Greek Art

    1023 Words  | 5 Pages

    The Greek sculptures reach the new height of beauty, not only because the mastery of the technique, but also the fascination of human body. Greek art uses the outer appearance to reflect the inner power, it is the representative pattern of western art. The myth inspires the creation of sculpture. The fantasy of nature and society and the admire of god’s shape and personality makes the sculpture more multiple and abundant.

    Read More

  • Importance Of Art During The Renaissance

    1306 Words  | 6 Pages

    Each artist paints and or sculpts pieces that show human emotions, religious symbolism, and extreme detail. Leonardo da Vinci is the first artist to be discussed because of his popularity. He is best known for the Mona Lisa. The Mona Lisa was a portrait of a woman that developed a meaning, people said it’s a symbol of the Renaissance information which came from this quote. “The Mona Lisa was originally this type of portrait, but over time its meaning has shifted and it has become an icon of the Renaissance perhaps the most recognized painting in the world.”

    Read More

  • Birth Of Venus Art Analysis

    1361 Words  | 6 Pages

    The Birth of Venus is an important part of Greek mythology and it showcases how according to mythology, Venus was born. Representational artwork aims to represent actual objects or subjects from reality. While no one has seen Venus or any of the other mythical figures in the painting, this painting does put into pictures the beliefs that we as humans hold, and thus, it represents an object in its own way. Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus is quite an amazing painting which brings together all its elements quite beautifully.

    Read More

  • Art Analysis: Prometheus Bound

    959 Words  | 4 Pages

    "Prometheus Bound” is an oil painting done on canvas by a Baroque artist, Peter Paul Reubens. The painting which was completed in 1618 though started in 1611 is based on a character, the Titan Prometheus, in one of the Greek myths. Reubens sought the help of Frans Snyders, a famous animal painter who painted the eagle in the painting. The painting which measures 242.6 cm by 209.6 cm is currently available for public viewing in the Philadelphia Museum of Art. With its sensuous richness, color and movement, "Prometheus Bound” is typical of baroque painting that evokes strong emotions in the viewer.

    Read More

More about Sandro Botticelli Venus And Mars

Open Document