Artists Illustrating Boys' Fashions: Sandro Botticelli (Italy, 1445-1510)


Figure 1.--This painting is known as "Portrait of a Young Man" and was probably painted before 1480. The boy here has short hair. we note other paintings by Botticeli with subjects that have long hair. Note the destinctive had worn with a kind of scarve.

Sandro Botticelli is one of the leading artists of the Italian Renaissance. His painting the "Birth of Venus" is considered one of the masterpices of the Floretinr Renaissance. He was born as Alessandro di Mariano Filipepi in Florence. He was the son of a tanner, a very low status trade. Botticello meaning "little barrel" was a nickname, but the name that he is widely known for today. Sandro was first appreticed to a goldsmith and later to the painter Fra Filippo Lippi. He also worked with the engraver Antonio del Pollaiuolo. He painted both Biblical and classical scenes as well as the increasingly popular portrait. Interestingly in sharp contrast to his his equisite lines and reaistic depictions, Botticelli clothed his subjects in contemporary Italian Renaissance clothing.

Parents

He was the son of a tanner, a very low status trade.

Childhood

He was born as Alessandro di Mariano Filipepi in Florence. Botticello meaning "little barrel" was a nickname, but the name that he is widely known for today. Virtually nothing is known about his childhood.

Childhood Clothing


Education


Training

Sandro was first appreticed to a goldsmith and later to the painter Fra Filippo Lippi. He also worked with the engraver Antonio del Pollaiuolo. It was here that he apparently acquired his wonderful sence of line. Another influence was Andrea del Verrocchio.

Career

Botticelli by the age of 25 in 1470 was working as an independent artist with his own workshop. is career is associated with Florence. He proved popular with the leading figures of the city. He painted several works including portaits for the Medici, the most important family of the city. Lorenzo de' Medici sponsored onw of the most brilliant courts of the 15th century amnd Botticelli was one of its adornments.

Body of Work

p>He painted both Biblical and classical scenes as well as the increasingly popular portrait. Studying his paintings is complicated by the fact that many are undated. Botticelli works are fascinating glimses of the transition during the Renasissance from the God-centered Medieval world to our more secular modern world. Boticelli did many religious works. He in 1481 was even chosen to decorate the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. He painted "The Youth of Moses", the "Punishment of the Sons of Corah", and the "Temptation of Christ". Art historians still discuss two large panels commissioned by the Medici, "Primavera" (1478?) and "Birth of Venus" (after 1482). They are perhaps his best known works. The slim elegant figure of Venus has been variously viewed as a symbol of both pagan and Christian love. Botticelli's patrons were expelled from Florence in the 1490s. The Dominican monk Girolamo Savonarola became vert influential and taught a need for austerity and reform. Botticelli apears to have been influenced and his work shows a more pronounced religious passioin. This was not in step with the temper of the High Renaissance that developed at the turn of the 16th century. He became less fashionable and died in obscurity. Only in the Victorian era did interest develop in him.

Assessment

Sandro Botticelli is one of the leading artists of the Italian Renaissance. His painting the "Birth of Venus" is considered one of the masterpices of the Floretinr Renaissance.

Clothing

Interestingly in sharp contrast to his his equisite lines and reaistic depictions, Botticelli clothed his subjects in contemporary Italian Renaissance clothing.

Hair

We note several Botticelli paintings in which he paints youths with long flowing hair. The yoth here appears to havce short hair.





HBC





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Created: August 18, 2003
Last updated: August 18, 2003