Art History Essay
May 9, 2019
Emma Macartney
Botticelli’s Idealized Portrait of the Quattrocento
In the early 15th century, there was a cultural rebirth known as the Renaissance. This movement began in the Italian Republic state of, Florence, due to the wealthy citizens, and the growing upper class of merchants and bankers who enjoyed the finer pleasures of life as growing intellectuals. Freedom of individuals was promoted in Florence, and hence, the desire for advances culturally was strong. This reputation was developed ever since the 1300s when Pope Boniface VII said: “You Florentines are the fifth element.” Meaning, the “fifth element” was the Florentine artistic contribution to the vital make-up of the universe. The confidence of the city-state of Florence was also increased, as they had just won a major battle against the Duke of Milan. It was a battle of who was strongest city-state, and who should be absolute ruler. Florence had proved itself in this, demonstrating that a republic state, focussed on philosophy, the humanities, and the arts could be as powerful as more military based states. Florentines viewed Florence as the “New Rome”, and an heir to the Ancient Roman Republic. A perfect breeding ground for artistic success was created, as individuals too advantage of their newfound civic confidence, pride, and optimism. A group of talented young intellectuals and artists joined together as a party called the Medici Group, a patronage that supported the arts and humanities. The Medici group encouraged a new method of thought, which hence, brought forth the Florentine Renaissance, soon to spread throughout Italy. This period was called the “Quattrocento”, or the Early Renaissance.
The Renaissance era was an uplifting period in history. Those living through it believed they were living in a new age, lifted out of the dark ages, when once prosperous and developing ancient civilizations began to decline. Greek and Roman learning methods were adopted, Western authors whose names had been lost for centuries were rediscovered and taught, and the concept of “humanistic” believe was acquired by the masses. Achievement of the individual was celebrated, particularly in regards to art. Prior to the Quattrocento, traditional styles of flat, two-dimensional artworks were challenged. Artistic concepts such as the one point linear perspective, and the “relieve schiacciato” which adds naturalistic and anatomical detail and proportion, to create an atmospheric effect. Artists also surpassed the traditional painting of religious stories. Quattrocento artists began to paint battle scenes, portraits and depictions of ordinary people in an attempt to capture the culture and philosophy of the time that was highly influenced by the Humanist philosophy. Humanism detailed a person’s relationship with the universe instead of their relationship with God and the church alone. The Quattrocento allowed the artist to communicate with their audience, offering them a new, often more intimate way they can experience art.
One of the most celebrated individuals of the Early Renaissance was Sandro Botticelli. Botticelli was successful in lifting himself out of poverty within Via Borgo Ognissanti, Florence. He was a prodigy, as he studied in the 1450s under many well known artists such as Fra Filippo Lippi. (1406-1459) Lippi greatly influenced Botticelli’s style, teaching him balance between flow and clarity, as well as how to appreciate a woman’s figure with the stroke of a paint brush. Working under and with Antonio del Pollaiuolo and Andrea del Verrocchio, Botticelli began to develop a unique artistic style, unbeknownst to all. Although, his talents did not go unrecognized. In 1472, Botticelli joined a group of Florentine painters called the “Comapagnia di San Luca”, and his work was often desired for churches in the city-state of Florence. Most notably, Pope Sixtus IV commissioned Botticelli to oversee the decoration of the Sistine Chapel of the Vatican. Later, Botticelli had aided in the cultural revolution of humanism, which marked the end of the “Dark Ages” and the beginning of the Early Renaissance. Botticelli is commonly known for being quite collaborative with other painters in this Quattrocento, Early Renaissance, era, however due to the fact that his style was so unique, Botticelli was hated by other notable painters such as Leonardo Da Vinci. Da Vinci once commented in his notebook that: “Although that stain may suggest ideas, he will not teach you to complete any art, and Botticelli paints very bad landscapes.” Botticelli’s unfavourable reputation with some of the more prevalent High Renaissance artists was deeply rooted in the belief that he was associated with the “Dark Ages”. His work was classified by many was belonging to the “uncultured” Gothic art phenomenon, and hence was dismissed until the turn of the 19th century. Eventually, Botticelli’s work was appreciated once again, and his paintings were placed in museums to be seen as revolutionary in the history of art.
Botticelli is often known for his talent of depicting prominent women in the culture of the time, for example, the Virgin Mary, Venus and a young noblewoman of Florence: Simonetta Vespucci. Vespucci was believed to be the most beautiful woman in Florence. At sixteen years of age, Vespucci was married, and she served as the mistress of one of the men who founded the Medici Group, Giuliano de’ Medici. However, her beauty was the substance of legend, as she died at the age of twenty-three. The mystery of Simonetta Vespucci inspired many Florentine artists, including Sandro Botticelli. Since Botticelli painted Vespucci in 1480, many have speculated that he used her figure as the basis for painting Venus in his most well-known pieces: ‘The Birth of Venus’ and ‘La Primavera’. Botticelli painted Simonetta Vespucci in his ‘Idealized Portrait of a Lady’ as a goddess of beauty or a nymph, illustrated through the details of her dress in beads, feathers, and ribbons. Throughout art history, many paintings have “idealized” the outward appearance of women. However, there is a certain respect that Botticelli paid to his model. He depicted her in the light of power through her garments and headdress. For the rest of time, Simonetta Vespucci will no longer be known as beautiful in its most simple definition, she will be viewed as the goddess.
Sources
Stern, Jonathan. “10 Artworks by Botticelli You Should Know”. Culture Trip. 22, December. 2016. Web. 11, May. 2019. <https://theculturetrip.com/europe/italy/articles/10-artworks-by-botticelli-you-should-know/>.
“Sandro Botticelli: Idealized Portrait of a Lady”. Digital Collection. Web. 12, May. 2019. <https://sammlung.staedelmuseum.de/en/work/idealised-portrait-of-a-lady>.
“Sandro Botticelli - Biography and Legacy”. The Art Story - Modern Art Insight. Web. 12, May. 2019. <https://www.theartstory.org/artist-botticelli-sandro-life-and-legacy.htm>.
“Sandro Botticelli: life facts, curiosities and art!”. Visit Tuscany. 2019. Web. 13, May. 2019. <https://www.visittuscany.com/en/ideas/sandro-botticelli-life-facts-curiosities-and-art/>.
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