Sandro Botticelli Painting Reproductions 4 of 5

Sandro Botticelli (full name Alessandro di Mariano di Vanni Filipepi) was an Italian painter who lived during the Renaissance period. He was born in Florence, Italy, on March 1, 1445, and died on May 17, 1510, in the same city.

Botticelli began his artistic career as an apprentice to Fra Filippo Lippi, a well-known painter in Florence. Later, he worked in the studio of Andrea del Verrocchio, where he learned the techniques of painting, sculpture, and metalworking. Verrocchio's studio was famous for training some of the greatest artists of the Renaissance, including Leonardo da Vinci.

In the late 1470s, Botticelli opened his own workshop in Florence and began to receive commissions from prominent patrons, such as the Medici family. He became known for his graceful, delicate style and his ability to create ethereal, dreamlike images.

One of Botticelli's most famous works is "The Birth of Venus," which he painted around 1485. The painting shows the goddess Venus rising from the sea on a shell, surrounded by mythological creatures. Another well-known work is "Primavera," painted around 1482, which depicts a group of figures in a garden, surrounded by flowers and trees.

Botticelli's style began to change in the 1490s, as he became more interested in religious subjects and began to incorporate Christian imagery into his work. One of his most important religious paintings is the "Mystic Nativity," painted in 1500, which shows the Nativity scene with angels and demons battling in the background.

Unfortunately, Botticelli's reputation declined after his death, and many of his works were forgotten or lost. It was not until the 19th century that he was rediscovered and recognized as one of the great painters of the Renaissance.

Overall, Botticelli's art is known for its elegant beauty, emotional expressiveness, and complex symbolism. His works continue to be admired and studied by art lovers and scholars around the world.