Two forms becoming one is Hermaphrodite. With roots in ancient Greek mythology, the tale of Hermaphrodite relates to modern discussions of gender identity and, through sculptural depictions, this figure becomes a beautiful ambiguity everyone can experience.
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Visiting heavenly angels always have important messages to deliver! The question is, are you ready to receive it?
I may not be an angel, but I’ve got an interesting story to tell you about Botticelli’s Annunciation. Ready? Okay, let’s begin.
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Does your home have a cool passageway connecting you across town? Probably not, but the Medici family had the Vasari Corridor built across Florence making for a quick, private trip between their home and work. Cool right?!
Okay, I admit, it’s not like you’re pulling a special book and a secret door opens, but the Vasari Corridor has gone through quite an adventure! And, luckily for us, the corridor is not so secretly exclusive anymore so let’s check it out.
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The Italian Renaissance is home to many impressive paintings including Titian’s iconic Venus of Urbino. This sensual work encourages much discussion surrounding classical works, marriage, and female beauty. Let’s see what Titian’s painting has to say!
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“A young woman with nonhuman countenance, is carried on a conch shell, wafted to shore by playful zephyrs; and it seems that heaven rejoices in her birth.”
-Poliziano
Who is this young woman Poliziano is speaking of? It’s none other than Venus, the beautiful goddess of love! Venus, and other gods and goddesses, are central icons in some Renaissance works especially as scholars and artists alike looked towards the classics. Remember Bronzino’s An Allegory with Venus and Cupid or even Titian’s Bacchus and Ariadne? Those are just a few paintings we’ve touched on that focus on the myths!
I’d like to introduce you to another great painting featuring Venus: Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus! This painting reimagines the very beginning of our favorite love goddess. For inspiration, Botticelli most likely looked towards his friend Poliziano and classical writers Homer and Virgil.
Why don’t we see what Botticelli’s painting has to say about Venus!?
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