Who is the Venus of Botticelli?

The “sans pair” fashion icon of the Italian Renaissance

Simonetta Vespucci, an Italian noblewoman originally from Portovenere but who lived in that precious treasure chest known as Florence, capitol of the Renaissance and loved by Giuliano de’ Medici.  Simonetta became the inspirational muse of the great artists such as Botticelli, Poliziano, Piero di Cosimo, and il Girlandaio, to name a few. The “Sans pair” had the most influential men of her time losing their minds over her but also inspiring creativity and genius in the arts and in poetry.  Today we can still find her characteristics and delicate features represented in these artistic and literary works that would have escaped the forgetfulness of time if it were not for the Renaissance artists who were inspired by her.

 

This earthly Venus, having become a sublime and immortal image, still lives on today in front of our very eyes in a painting, or in a verse of poetry, representing the apex of Italian creativity and genius, still imitated all over the world.

 

 

 

Written by Simonetta Sargentini

Images by artist ©Sakka

 

 

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Simonetta Vespucci, model of Sandro Botticelli, her face made eternal as Goddess Venus, a symbol of  beauty.

The “Birth of Venus” by Sandro Botticelli made in 1485, depicts the landing on the island of Cyprus of the goddess of love and beauty, born from the white foam of the sea and pushed to the shores by the winds of Zephyrus and Aura.

It can be admired at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence along with other wonderful paintings by the same artist such as “La Primavera” and “Madonna del Magnificat”.