La Primavera

Painted in 1482, the meaning of the tempera panel painting La Primavera is believed to express the glories of spring and the dawning of a New World. This is the most popular idea, though historians are still unsure of the true meaning behind the Botticelli painting.The work was funded by the Medici family. There are nine figures, including Cupid. The central figure, Venus, is Roman Catholicized- presented as Virgin Mary. The sky represents a subtle halo and the Cherub is above her as a symbol of God’s presence. The model for Venus is believed to be Simonetta Vespucci.

Venus and Mars

Mars, god of War, was one of the lovers of Venus, goddess of Love. This tempera piece was painted in 1485. It shows Mars sleeping unarmed and Venus sitting wide awake, meaning that love conquers war. Two satyrs play carrying his armor and another rests beside him. The scene is set in a forest and shows the sea that Venus came from in the background. The swarm of wasps above Mars’ head symbolize either that love is accompanied by pain or they represent the Vespucci family. The work was inspired by the Stanze of Poliziano. Venus is believed to be modeled by Simonetta Vespucci, who Botticelli may have been in love with.

The Mystical Nativity

The Mystical Nativity was painted in 1500 in oil paint on canvas. It depicts a scene of joy and celebration, but there are also dark aspects of it as well. The helpless child rests on a sheet that represents the sheet he’ll be wrapped in when he is in his tomb(represented by the cave). The kings bring their devotion on the right. The angels above are dressed in the colors of faith, hope, and charity, holding olive branches. Above them, heaven opens up and at the bottom three angels raise three men from the ground and devils flee to the underworld. The painting is suggested to be influenced by Savonarola.

The Adoration of the Magi

This tempera painting was painted in 1476 and commissioned by Gaspare di Zanobi del Lama, who was connected to the Medici family. Several members of the family are presented in the scene as the Magi, who were priest-kings. The painting was del Lama’s way of paying homage to the Medici family. In the painting, edifice surround Christ symbolize his humble roots and contrasts the rich robes of those surrounding the altar. Botticelli including a self-portrait of himself, the blonde man looking right at the viewer, placed on the far right. This painting is known for the incredible attention to detail.

The Birth of Venus

The Birth of Venus was painted by Botticelli in 1486 in Italy. It is painted in tempera on canvas. Lorenzo the Great launched the theme of this painting and had it set to verse by one of his favorite humanist poets, Angelo Poliziano. Botticelli followed the text and designed the artwork. In it, the goddess Venus emerges from the sea on a shell, matching the myth of her birth. As she is about to step onto the shore, a Nymph reaches out to cover her with a cloak. This painting is the first large-scale canvas created in the Renaissance.