“Primavera”
Today, a classic piece celebrating the glorious season of Spring.
This tempera painting on poplar wood titled “Primavera” meaning “Spring” is by the Italian Renaissance master, Sandro Botticelli, from circa 1480. It features figures from Classic Mythology including Venus, Zephyrus, Chloris, Cupid, the Three Graces, and Mercury. These mythological beings are depicted in an orange and laurel tree grove.
Though there is no real story behind this piece, though many have interpreted it as an allegorical piece relating to the onset and passing of Spring. However, it is definitely agreed upon that the narrative of the painting goes from right to left. The viewer first sees Zephyrus, the god of the west wind, as he is essentially taking Chloris, the nymph, for his own. After he “takes her”, they marry and he transforms her into the spring goddess, Flora, who we see just to the left of Chloris.
The central figure in the painting is Venus, the goddess of love and beauty, who Botticelli famously portrayed in his painting, “Birth of Venus”. She is standing, fully clothed, and demure, presiding over the jubilant scene. Above her you can see Cupid flying amongst the orange trees, bow and arrow in hand.
To the left of Venus, the three Graces are dancing with each other. The three Graces are sisters and are the goddesses of nature who were often depicted as companions of Venus. The sisters are always depicted holding hands, but usually in a more static pose. Cupid can be seen above aiming his arrow at them. To the very left, Mercury, the messenger of the gods is seen in his helmet and winged sandals dissipating the clouds with his staff.
The origin of this piece is not quite clear, but it is thought to have been commissioned by the Medici family (the orange grove in the painting was a Medici symbol). Botticelli’s inspiration is thought to have been from a poem by Ovid talking about the arrival of spring, though the specific details in the work may have been taken from a poem by Poliziano (or vice versa, depending on which date is ascribed to the latter poem). In Ovid’s poem, the wood nymph, Chloris, attracts the first winds of Spring, Zephyr. As Zephyr pursues Chloris, flowers spill from her mouth and she becomes Flora, the goddess of Spring. Venus, the goddess of love, presides over the garden.
Interestingly, this painting originally had no title. It was first called “La Primavera” by the art historian, Giorgio Vasari, in 1550. Though not painted as a pair, this painting has been partnered with “Birth of Venus” for hundreds of years now.
Botticelli was known for his attention to detail and this piece is no different. He accurately depicted at least 138 disparate species of plant life amongst the orange trees and mythological figures.
“Primavera” is currently on display at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy.
For more on Sandro Botticelli, please visit his short biography here.
You can find more artists to learn about here.
