Portraits by Sandro Botticelli
http://phistars.blogspot.com/2012/06/portraits-by-sandro-botticelli.html
Portraits by Sandro Botticelli
Well, like it was to be expected. Here are some of Botticelli's portraits. You know, in the old days ,those that could afford it, had artist make portraits for them. Today, with the camera there is not need to have fancy doll up paintings.Needless to say, artist did not paint portraits for the fun of it. In those days, painting was a serious busyness. In any case, the first one is called Portrait of a Lady or Esmeralda Brandini. Well, as I said before, the pink dress shows her gentleness. Her pose and the way she holds up the ends of her dress is meant to show that she is a lady. The golden fancy linens shows that she is filthy rich. The round belly shows that she is fertile. Due to the loss of 3/4 of the EU population (because of the black plague), fertility was highly valued.
The ivory skin shows her purity. She is in an home setting of Greek design. Being home, assured chastity of maidens. For this reason, most paintings featured maidens inside their home. The pillar also shows that she is the pillar of her house. Her face is at a 3/4 angle looking straight at the viewer. She is serious because it is a state portrait. Her attributes are alluded to in minor details. However, whether she was funny or charming was of little consequences. This was done to focus more on the mental working of the sitters (or subjects of the painting). Emotion was useless in a Renaissance world. In any case, this portrait by Botticelli deserves 5 star rating.
The next portrait features Lorenzo di Ser Piero Lorenzi. I think that guy is a Cardinal. He is wearing the Red Cardinal dress. He also has the hat. This one is just a simple, official portrait. Its nothing too far out there. His features are idealized. Still, one should be able to recognize the guy. Ok, lets just move on with the show. 5 stars.
The next cutie is Simonetta Vespucci. Many believe that she was the face model for the Birth of Venus. I can see the resemblance. Her profile pose mimics ancient roman coins. You can see a lot of fine detail on her dress and hair. There are a lot of wires holding up her hair. One of them is even around her neck. She also has pearls on her hair. They are a symbol of purity. The dress is the color of passion. Botticelli added a window to show the source of light. One only sees the blue sky. In order to make her paleness stick out, most of the painting is black. I think that is everything worth mentioning about this pretty lady. 5 stars for Sandro Botticelli.
The next painting features Catherina Sforza. She was the bastard child of a rich nobleman. She worked in many religious works. Also, she was known as a talented alchemist. Here she is with a quill (to show she is literate) and an alchemy stand. She is looking out the window. Her clothing is that of an alchemist. She is looking outside to allude to her love of hunting. She has a halo because in her last years she entered a nunnery. She was also quite the war lady. She stood up to the Machiavellian Prince Cesare Borgia (she was a regent at the time). When she lost her power she had to join the nunnery (diplomatic life was out of the question). The painting is kinda odd. The feather quill is getting out of the painted window frame. In any case, this painting by Botticelli deserves 5 star rating.
The next painting has the same illusionist frame. Here a lil bird is sharing the painting with Giuliano de Medici. His face is beaming with arrogance. His face is frozen in a looking down at all worms expression. Its funny cause this was made just a few days before he was assassinated. I can see why he was killed. He looks like such a prick. Behind him, again we see the open door. In any case, this painting deserves 5 star rating.
The next one is Portrait of a Man with the Medal of Cosimo the Elder. This guy is a priest. You can see it on his collard. Cosimo is a Medici guy. The young man's identity is unknown. He does have the most frail looking hands (like those of an artist). Its a bummer why he has the medal at his heart. In the background, we see a landscape. He also has a fraternity ring (you know, young men of all ages joined fraternities in those days. Much like today, except for the drinking rituals). I think that's everything. This pretty boy deserves 5 star rating.
The next one is a Portrait of a Young Man (1469). I think he might be Cardinal or a student of sorts. He came out a bit yellow. His arrangement is just like the other Cardinal that Botticelli painted. Well, lets not dwell on this matter much longer. This lil portrait by Botticelli deserves 5 star rating.
The next one is a Portrait of a Young Man with Red Cap (1477). You know, I am starting to realize why historians think Botticelli was so totally gay. I mean, this is like the second portrait of a handsome nobody. You know, painting takes time and money. So, why did he take the time, money and effort to paint those young men? Its a real bummer... Anyhow, this pretty boy deserves 5 star rating.
The next painting is a Portrait of a Young Woman (1475). Judging by her shabby attire she must be a maid. The only sleeve we see has patchwork. Her cap is also simple. Her skin is also darkish, showing that she works outside. Her face is rather pretty. She also has a round fertile belly. Anyhow, this portrait deserves 5 star rating.
Here is another Portrait of a Young Woman (1485). You can recognize her as Botticelli's Simonetta. She has like the best hairstyle ever made. Look at how her braids looks like a part of dress. Its really something else. Her pendant is also interesting looking. Here we can appreciate more of her ...chest. Anyhow, this pretty Venus of Botticelli deserves 5 stars.
The next on is a Portrait of Dante. For those that do not know, Botticelli never met Dante. This is how Botticelli imagined that Dante was supposed to look like. Dante has the poets' laurel crown of victory (and Apollo). Then again, there did exist a plaster death mask of Dante. Its a common gruesome practice of the time. When you could not get a painting done during the artist's life time; when they died, they did a quick plaster mold of their face to preserve for all time. So, they did have some basis for his face. In all of his depictions, Dante showed up in the red dress and with the laurel Crown. I suppose that is derived from his poem. I tried reading it, but I was not able to get past limbo. In any case, Botticelli deserves 5 star rating.
The last one is the third painting of Simonetta Vespucci. This one was done at an earlier time than the others. Simonetta looks younger and her chest is smaller. She is wearing a red cloak like the Virgin or Venus. Her hair is red and pretty lovely. Again, there is a lil window behind her. However, the light is coming from a suggested window before her. Something to note is the black band on her arm. That's a promise. I suppose she was engage at the time this painting was made. Oh well... In any case, this last portrait deserves 5 star rating. It is my hope that you folks liked my lil Botticelli blog. I will see what I write about next time. Ok!! Yawn, I am going to bed. Tata, and Goodnight.
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