Symbols encrypted in Venus by Botticelli

Nascita di Venere. Painting by great Italian master Alessandro di Mariano di Vanni Filipepi (1445 – 1510). Symbols encrypted in Venus by Sandro Botticelli
Symbols encrypted in Venus by Botticelli
Botticelli’s appeal to the pagan story, and even with a nude nature, may, at first glance, seem strange. Indeed, in the early 1480s, the artist seems to have devoted himself to Christian art. Thus, in 1481–1482 Sandro painted the Sistine Chapel in Rome, and in 1485 “Madonna and Child”, “Madonna Magnificat” and “Madonna with a book”. But this is an external contradiction.
The great Italian painter Sandro Botticelli did not see anything sinful in a naked female body. Moreover, he saw in it the allegory of the voice of God. In fact, according to his worldview, Botticelli was close to the Florentine Neo-Platonists. In particular, the union headed by the philosopher Marsilio Ficino, who sought to synthesize ancient wisdom with Christian doctrine.
According to the ideas of the Neo-Platonists, the unknowable God always embodies himself in earthly beauty, be it physical or spiritual beauty — one without the other is impossible. Thus, the pagan goddess of the Neoplatonists became an allegory of the voice of God through which the soul is saved. Marsilio Ficino called Venus the nymph of Humanity, “born of heaven and more than others beloved by God. Her soul is the essence of Love and Mercy, her eyes are Dignity and Generosity, her hands are Generosity and Magnificence, and her legs are Comfort and Modesty ”.
Such a synthesis of Christianity and paganism is also present in the work of Botticelli.
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