Alessandro di Mariano di Vanni Filipepi (c. 1445 – May 17, 1510), known as Sandro Botticelli (Italian: [ˈsandro bottiˈtʃɛlli]), was an Italian painter of the Early Renaissance.
What was Botticelli’s Father’s profession?
In 1460 Botticelli’s father ceased his business as a tanner and became a gold-beater with his other son, Antonio. This profession would have brought the family into contact with a range of artists. Giorgio Vasari, in his Life of Botticelli, reported that Botticelli was initially trained as a goldsmith.
What is the difference between Botticelli’s and Piero’s paintings?
Botticelli’s panel adopts the format and composition of Piero’s but features a more elegant and naturally posed figure and includes an array of “fanciful enrichments so as to show up Piero’s poverty of ornamental invention.” In 1472 Botticelli took on his first apprentice, the young Filippino Lippi, son of his master.
How many portraits did Botticelli paint?
Botticelli painted a number of portraits, although not nearly as many as have been attributed to him. There are a number of idealized portrait-like paintings of women which probably do not represent a specific person (several closely resemble the Venus in his Venus and Mars).
Is Botticelli’s Primavera a pair?
The subject was first described as Primavera by the art historian Giorgio Vasari who saw it at Villa Castello, just outside Florence, by 1550. Although the two are now known not to be a pair, the painting is inevitably discussed with Botticelli’s other very large mythological painting, The Birth of Venus, also in the Uffizi.
How did Botticelli get his start in art?
Vasari reported that Botticelli was initially trained as a goldsmith. He perhaps became an apprentice when he was about fourteen years old, which may indicate that he received a fuller education than many other Renaissance artists.
What are Botticelli’s graces called?
From the left they are identified by Edgar Wind as Voluptas, Castitas, and Pulchritudo (Pleasure, Chastity and Beauty), though other names are found in mythology, and it is noticeable that many writers, including Lightbown and the Ettlingers, refrain from naming Botticelli’s Graces at all.
When did Botticelli start painting Madonnas?
With the phase of painting large secular works probably over by the late 1480s, Botticelli painted several altarpieces, and this appears to have been a peak period for his workshop’s production of Madonnas.
Why is Botticelli called the little barrel?
The Vespucci were Medici allies and eventually regular patrons of Botticelli. The nickname Botticelli, meaning “little barrel”, derives from the nickname of Sandro’s brother, Giovanni, who was called Botticello apparently because of his round stature.
