Paintings by Botticelli

Primavera
1482

From right to left we see Zephyrus taking the nymph Cloris by force, transforming her into the goddess of Spring and giver of life. This story comes from Ovid, and Botticelli indicates that this is the same character at two different points in time by showing her garments blowing in two different winds. In the center is Venus, goddess of beauty in red, blue and gold. Above her is Cupid, god of desire in the colors of the Medici. His arrow is aimed at the three Graces, obliviously dancing a roundelay. In the red to counter Zephyrus' blue is Mercury, the messenger god, keeping the clouds away.

Calumny of Apelles
1494

This is another allegorical painting, one of Botticelli's last. It is a recreation of a self-portrait of the painter Apelles, which had been destroyed but was described by the ancient writer Lucian. Apelles had been falsely accused by a jealous rival, a story familiar to Botticelli's life. In the painting, from right to left, we see: Suspicion and Ignorance whispering in the donkey ears of King Midas; Envy reaching out to request judgement; Conspiracy and Fraud adorning Slander with the attributes of beauty; innocent Apelles dragged by his hair; Repentance following in tatters, looking back at the statuesque Truth, who is pointing to the only true judge.