Birth of Venus by Botticelli
Posted on 07/04/2022 10:52:27 AM PDT by ancientart
In around 1485 or 1486, Florentine artist Sandro Botticelli came up with probably his most famous painting, the "Birth of Venus."
Botticelli’s choice of subject was nothing new. Venus and her equivalents, including the Greek Aphrodite and the Mesopotamian goddess Ishtar, are among the most common figures depicted in art. Archaeologists dub one of the oldest of all sculptures, the “Venus of Willendorf,” on the assumption that this 25,000-year-old work was intended to represent a Stone Age fertility goddess similar to the Venus of later tradition. In virtually all civilizations, a Venus equivalent plays a prominent role in myth, legend and the visual arts.
But while Botticelli’s choice of subject is nothing new, he treats Venus in an entirely original way. In keeping with his Neoplatonist philosophy, Botticelli gives us not an erotic Venus, but a figure intended to inspire in us a love of beauty, a love of nature and, ultimately, a love of God.
Botticelli was taking on a difficult task. Erotic love (eros) and divine love (agape) are often poles apart. Eros tends to be selfish, a force that tempts us to put our own impulses ahead of what’s best for society, what’s best for our families and even what’s best in our own long-term interest. It tends to be transitory and capricious.
Agape love is very different. It’s entirely unselfish. It’s patient and kind. It’s not proud or envious. It rejoices in truth. It doesn’t give in to anger. It bears all things, believes all things and endures all things. It’s anything but self-seeking. And it never fails.
Can eros and agape, two very different types of love, ever come together?
Well, they can and do. They come together not just in Botticelli paintings, but in that magical, everyday miracle, a baby.
(Excerpt) Read more at aberdeennews.com ...
Birth of Venus by Botticelli
The figure proportions are elongated, meaning the figures are about 7 or 8 heads tall, vs 5 heads for most commercial figures. You hardly notice the difference at first glance, because all the muscles are correct and move in a unified, credible and graceful manner. They simply look statuesque.
They are as smooth and flawless as alabaster sculptures, none showing even a wrinkle or a stress fold that normally happens with movement.
Nary a Love-Handle to be seen on these idealized figures of fantasy.
Well done and always interesting.
These aren’t “tough” decisions.
You are either for murdering babies or you aren’t. It’s that simple.
Tough decisions? Oh noes, legislatures have to do their jobs and craft thoughtful legislation.
The only tough thing is Courts intervening so an individual lefty can try to impose his or her will in the state.
Prediction: many many pro-lifers are going to be sorely disappointed. Much like we all were when the GOP admitted they'd been lying all along about getting rid of Obamacare and even though they had everything they need to do it they simply wouldn't and that was that.
He seemed more interested in showing his knowledge of Botticelli than coming to any sort of point in his article.
At long, LONG last, states are going to have to defend their laws against their voters’ apprehensions and to explain their positions.
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