Sandro Botticelli, Birth of Venus (Panel)

Description

In the center of the painting is Venus rising from the waters, depicted standing on a shell. The goddess seems to advance levitating on the waves lightly towards her goal. Venus is naked and Zephyr, on the left, blows towards her while embracing the nymph Chloris. On the right, however, one of the Hours or one of the Graces, hands Venus a robe embroidered with figures of myrtles, primroses and roses. The robe is a masterpiece of skilful decoration, made with meticulously painted flowers. All around, the landscape is barely hinted at like the sea that looks like wallpaper. In fact, waves are represented through simple linear signs.