The Birth of Venus

Sandro Botticelli, c. 1484-1486 Medium: Tempera on canvas Dimensions: 172.5 x 278.5 cm Location: Uffizi Gallery, Florence

The Birth of Venus by Italian painter Sandro Botticelli in c. 1484 is a tempera on canvas that depicts Venus, the Roman goddess of love. As depicted, Venus, who has been blown to shore, is carried toward the land by the god of the west wind and will be soon embraced by the goddess on the left, who will wrap her in a flower blanket. Flowers fall from the sky to celebrate the arrival of the goddess. This floral pattern on the blanket indicates fertility since springtime is the period of birth. Venus is depicted as the epitome of beauty and grace with her smooth skin and flowing hair; she covers up her body, which implies both her innocence and the erotic undertone of the piece. The seashell that Venus stands on is another symbol of fertility.