Botticelli

Sandro Botticelli (1444/45–1510) was a Florentine Early Renaissance painter who gained major art-historical recognition in the 19th century. His secular works, such as The Birth of Venus and Primavera, are among the most recognized paintings in the world, and he is hailed as a towering figure of the Florentine Renaissance. This introduction presents key works from Botticelli's oeuvre to understand the making of a Renaissance legend, exploring a mastery of figuration, movement, and line that has inspired artists from Edgar Degas to Andy Warhol.

Format: Hardback
Length: 96 pages
Publication date: 02 October 2021
Publisher: Taschen GmbH

Sandro Botticelli (1444/45–1510) was a renowned artist who gained fame with the patronage of the powerful Medici family. He produced a canon of secular and religious works, including contributions to the celebrated Sistine Chapel. However, his work was largely forgotten for four hundred years after his death. It wasn't until the 19th century that Botticelli began to receive significant art-historical recognition. Today, he is celebrated as a towering figure of the Florentine Early Renaissance.

Botticelli's secular works, such as "The Birth of Venus" and "Primavera," are among the most recognizable paintings in the world. These paintings are often interpreted as allegories of Spring, showcasing his exquisite attention to detail, graceful lines, and compositional balance. His arrangements are fluid yet poised, his figures serene yet sensual. "Venus," in particular, is regarded as an art-historical icon of beauty, with her pale skin, delicate features, and soft, fecund promise.

This essential introduction provides a comprehensive exploration of Botticelli's oeuvre, showcasing his most famous mythological and allegorical scenes as well as his radiant religious works. Through his mastery of figuration, movement, and line, Botticelli has inspired countless artists throughout history, from Edgar Degas to Andy Warhol, René Magritte to Cindy Sherman. His legacy continues to resonate in the art world today, making him a truly remarkable figure in the history of Western art.

Weight: 624g
Dimension: 267 x 216 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783836542845