The Birth of Venus c 1483 by Sandro Botticelli | Oil Painting Reproduction
75 cm
46
cm
The Birth of Venus c 1483
Artist: Sandro Botticelli
Size: 46 x 75 cm (18.1 x 29.5")
Oil Painting Reproductions

Choose Painting Size (Height x Width)

Proportions will be maintained

Gallery Wrap (Optional) What is a Gallery Wrap? What is a Gallery Wrap?

Price: $345.00
Selected size: 46 x 75 cm (18.1 x 29.5")

Sandro Botticelli's The Birth of Venus, painted in the mid-1480s, is one of the most recognizable early renaissance paintings. Although titled The Birth of Venus, it depicts the moment the goddess Venus arrives on the idyllic shores of Cyprus.

What is the theme of the Botticelli Venus painting?

 The painting centers on classical Greek and Roman mythology. As the goddess of love, Venus was born from sea spray itself. Blown towards the shores of Cyprus by the winds Aura and Zephyr, she stands atop a giant scallop shell. Her skin is even more pearlescent than the shell, with Venus’s swirling hair covering her modesty.

Borrowed from classical statues and figurines, Venus’s pose and other compositional elements hark back to Hellenistic artworks in the Medici family’s collection.

On the shore, Venus meets a female attendant. Identified as either Hora of Spring or one of the three Graces, the woman presents a flowing pink shawl covered in floral motifs. Many scholars believe Hora of Spring is the more likely candidate, referencing the rose petals blowing through the scene.

Indeed, another celebrated work, Botticelli’s Primavera, also references Spring; created in 1482, it was painted on wood panels, whereas the Birth of Venus is tempera on canvas.

Did the Medici family commission Botticelli's painting?

Likely commissioned by an influential Florentine Medici family member, the painting is surprisingly mysterious given its subsequent fame. Although endlessly analyzed by art historians, Botticelli’s intentions remain elusive.

There are some clues, though. Giorgio Vasari described the painting hanging in the Villa of Castello (owned by the Medici family). The orange trees at the top right of the composition further support the Medici. 

Known as “mala medica” in Italian, oranges symbolized the Medici family due to the similar sounds of their names. There are also laurel trees, a possible punning reference to Lorenzo Medici (the “Magnificent”).

Despite the lack of firm evidence, art historians believe the painting represents Neoplatonic ideals of pure, divine love. Venus’s pose, combined with attendant winged beings and devoted followers, also reflects the iconography of the Baptism of Christ.

Why is the Renaissance Venus painting important?

Amongst famous Botticelli paintings, the Birth of Venus is important for its amalgamation of artistic styles. The painting references Greco-Roman inspiration and popular gothic styles, and this is particularly evident in the woman’s off-center, slightly curved body.

Venus floats above the shell rather than standing firmly on its surface. Her elongated arms, legs, and body follow the swirls of her golden hair, foreshadowing later mannerist approaches.

The woman’s pose eschews classical realism and would be impossible to hold in reality as her weight is shifted too far to the left. Although an insignificant detail at first glance, this is important to the painting.

Botticelli rejected dominant naturalistic styles exemplified by contemporaries such as Ghirlandaio, opting instead for mythological symbolism. As a result, the trees and grass are highly stylized, as is the sky. Comparably, the azure waves form regular, rhythmic patterns. Even the bulrushes on the left-hand side of the painting are incongruent, as they don’t grow in salt-water environments.

Where is The Birth of Venus?

Today, this masterpiece of early renaissance oil paintings hangs in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy.

Fine art reproductions are available in our extensive catalog of Renaissance oil paintings.

We offer a 100% money back guarantee or replacement service. If for any reason you are dissatisfied with your painting please contact us within 7 days of receipt, advising the reason you are unhappy and we will provide you with all the information you need for its return or replacement.

We ship free to anywhere in the world via FedEx or DHL expedited service with online tracking.

Your painting will be shipped rolled in strong plastic tubing, ready for stretching and/or framing locally. This is the conventional method of transporting hand-painted oil on canvas. Learn more about how your painting is shipped.

We are able to offer a framing service intercontinental U.S. Please contact us if you would like a quotation. Alternatively, should you prefer, we can recommend a framer in your area.

Notes About Your Painting

Please note that replica oil paintings are finished with an additional 10cm (4") of extra canvas on all sides, allowing ample surplus canvas for stretching and framing.

quote
Why settle for a poster or paper art print when you can own a real oil painting on canvas? This is a hand painted oil painting reproduction of a masterpiece, by a talented artist no electronic transfer methods are employed.
quote

Cannot Find What You Are Looking For?

Customer Service


(Send Us A Message)

Call Toll Free +1 888 858 8236
+1 888 858 8236 (Toll Free)

Tel: (503) 937 2010
Fax: (503) 937 2011

Skype Us artoncanvas


Find us on Facebook


Follow us on Pinterest

What is a Gallery Wrap?

Gallery Wrap Option