Venus and Mars by Sandro Botticelli

Venus and Mars by Sandro Botticelli, 1483, is a large tempera painting on wood panel depicting the classical gods of Love and War. Venus, the goddess of Love, gazes on the slumbering Mars, the mythological god of War, while a group of mischievous baby satyrs steal away Mars’ helmet, lance and weapons of war. The scene is set in a colourful forest landscape. In the distance is the sea from which Venus was born. Sandro Botticelli (1445-1510) was a Florentine painter of the of the early Italian Renaissance who apprenticed under the master Filippo Lippi. With strong Gothic influences, the mature work of Botticelli reflected a study of antique classical sculpture and was noted for its linear grace and rhythm, flattened relief-like forms with strong contours, and subtle colouring. The complexity of meanings in Botticelli’s compositions, from sources drawn from classical antiquity, mythology and philosophy, enthraled scholars for centuries.