Biography
On the highest pinnacle of glory, Sandro Botticelli was regarded as one of the most esteemed and honored Italian painters. Although this unique artist lived and worked during the period of the early Renaissance, the majority of his works of art has been truly appreciated during the preceding centuries. Such a great number of the unique characteristics of the artworks created by the Italian Renaissance painter will is the main reason why the personality of Sandro Botticelli, as well as his artistic legacy, will never be forgotten.
Alessandro di Mariano di Vanni Filipepi, who is known as Sandro Botticelli, was born in the city of Florence situated in a gorgeous Italian region. The interesting thing that should be mentioned is the fact that this Florence is often named as the birthplace of the Renaissance. In turn, the majority of the researchers studying this cultural movement argues that Florence remains the center of the Renaissance art and its architecture. Although the actual birth date of Sandro Botticelli is unknown, a number of scholars working in the field of art claim that the prominent Italian painter was born in the period between 1444 and 1446.
It is a well-known fact that Sandro Botticelli was an apprentice to a goldsmith who called the artist ‘Botticelli’ that means ‘a little barrel’. Then, the young shaver attended the studio of Fra Filippo Lippi, who was a distinguished Italian Renaissance artist as well. Lippi taught the young Botticelli how to make the paintings on frescoes and how to create the drawings on the wooden panels. At the beginning of his promising career, Sandro Botticelli painted the numerous frescoes for the churches and cathedrals in Florence. During that period, he worked with Antonio del Pollaiuolo, an Italian artist and engraver, and since 1470, the renowned painter had been working in his own workshop.
In 1510, at the age of 65, Sandro Botticelli passed away. He was buried outside with the Ognissanti Church with the members of his family.
Key Ideas in Painting
First of all, during the years of his artistic success, Sandro Botticelli demonstrated a conservative approach to painting. Another important feature that should be mentioned is the greatest color set among the painters working during the second half of the 15th century. The most common pigments included the verdigris (copper green), cinnabar, ultramarine, red, malachite, red lake, and carbon black. However, while creating his artworks, Sandro Botticelli mainly used three basic colors – red, white, and yellow.
As it was mentioned above, Botticelli was greatly influenced by his first teacher Filippino Lippi. The evidence of such a significant impact can be found in the paintings of the Italian Renaissance artist. If you are interested, pay attention to the linear style, subtle colors of pigment, and the idealized, as well as a slightly melancholic, image of the feminine beauty. The important thing that should be noted is the fact that the painting style of Botticelli was highly influenced by the other Italian Renaissance artists that included Domenico Ghirlandaio, Perugino, and Verrocchio. While developing his distinct painting style, the Italian painter focused his attention on the religious and mythological themes.
Most Famous Artworks of Great Italian Renaissance Artist
It is a common knowledge that the creative legacy of the prominent Italian Renaissance painter includes a significant number of the drawings. The interesting thing that should be mentioned is the fact that the major part of paintings created by Sandro Botticelli is related to the theological and mythological themes.
List of Famous Religious Paintings:
- Coronation of the Virgin (1490);
- BarnabasAltarpiece (1488);
- Adoration of the Magi(1476);
- Augustine(1488);
- Adoration of the Kings(1473);
- The Madonna of the Pomegranate (1487);
- The Madonna of the Magnificat(1482).
List of Famous Mythological Paintings:
- Primavera( 1477–82),
- Pallas and the Centaur( 1485),
- Venus and Mars ( 1485)
- The Birth of Venus ( 1485)
- The Calumny of Apelles ( 1495).
The Birth of Venus
This particular painting was created as a wedding present for the Medici family. The interesting thing that this drawing was one of the first attempts of the artist to use tempera on canvas. At first glance, it may seem that Sandro Botticelli created this masterpiece on the basis of the Roman legend entitled ‘The Birth of Venus’. Although this painting has a strong relation to the Ancient Roman mythology, the artist introduced his own form of visual poetry. The reason for this issue is the fact that the setting depicted in the picture and the plot of the classical poem have almost nothing in common. And if you look carefully, you may notice that this painting is created by means of the linear technique. In this case, Sandro Botticelli attempted to avoid using shade or light.
The Adoration of the Magi
‘The Adoration of the Magi’ is another famous painting that was created by Sandro Botticelli in 1475. In the picture, the author depicted the members of the Medici family. Some researchers believe that this masterpiece emphasizes a great significance of the Medici family that made a great contribution to the culture of the Renaissance period. What is more, the members of the Medici family were regarded as the patrons of the Italian Renaissance art.
However, when you look at the painting, the first thought that comes to your mind is that, in this work of art, Botticelli represented the religious theme as well. This drawing reveals one of the most important scenes that can be found in the Bible. In the painting, we can see three wise men or ‘Magi’ kneel in worship before the Holy Family (Christ, Mary and Joseph) and offer them gifts.
You may have noticed that the original author of this painting depicted himself on the far right-hand side.
Madonna of the Pomegranate
‘Madonna of the Pomegranate’ is the following famous artwork of Botticelli that was created in 1487. It is evident that this painting implies a particular religious motivation.
