Boticelli’s “Primavera”

Sandro Botticelli - Primavera - c. 1482 - Tempera on panel, 203 x 314 cm (79.9 x 123.6 in) - Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence (click photo for larger image)The “Primavera” is one of the most famous paintings by Sandro Botticelli (c. 1445-1510). It’s source may possibly be the classical poet, Ovid—or a more generalized celebration of the month of May. “The Primavera” is special in that it is one of the first surviving paintings from the post-classical period that depicts classical gods almost naked and life-size. Some of the figures are based on ancient sculptures. But these are not direct copies. Rather, they are translated into Botticelli's own unconventional formal language, which includes slender figures whose bodies at times seem slightly elongated. The women's domed stomachs that demonstrate the contemporary ideal of beauty. Venus is standing in the center of the picture, set slightly back from the other figures. Above her, Cupid is aiming one of his arrows of love at the Three Graces, who are elegantly dancing a roundel. The garden of the goddess of love is guarded by Mercury on the left. Mercury, who is lightly clad in a red cloak covered with flames, is wearing a helmet and carrying a sword, clearly characterizing him as the guardian of the garden. The messenger of the gods is also identified by means of his winged shoes and the caduceus staff which he used to drive two snakes apart and make peace. Botticelli has depicted the snakes as winged dragons. From the right, Zephyr, the god of the winds, is forcefully pushing his way in, in pursuit of the nymph Chloris. Next to her walks Flora, the goddess of spring, who is scattering flowers.