# Sandro Botticelli

> Italian painter (1445–1510)

**Wikidata**: [Q5669](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5669)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandro_Botticelli)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sandro-botticelli

## Summary
Sandro Botticelli (Alessandro di Mariano di Vanni Filipepi) was an Italian painter and draftsperson active during the Early Renaissance, whose work period spanned from 1460 to 1510. He is best known for his mythological masterpieces, *The Birth of Venus* and *Primavera*, as well as his religious frescoes in the Sistine Chapel and numerous Madonna paintings. Botticelli's body of work encompasses portraiture, religious art, and mythological scenes, establishing him as a defining figure of the Italian Quattrocento.

## Biography
- **Born:** March 1, 1445 (or 1446)
- **Nationality:** Italian
- **Education:** Affiliated with Andrea del Verrocchio
- **Known for:** Painting mythological and religious works, including *The Birth of Venus* and Sistine Chapel frescoes
- **Employer(s):** Q183458; Lorenzo de' Medici (associated)
- **Field(s):** Painting, draftsmanship, religious art, mythological painting, history painting, portraiture

## Contributions
Botticelli created an extensive portfolio of paintings and frescoes that defined the Florentine art scene of the late 15th century. His major contributions include:

*   **Mythological Masterpieces:** He painted *The Birth of Venus* (c. 1480–1485) and *Primavera* (c. 1480), both housed in the Uffizi, which are among the most famous works of the Renaissance. He also produced *Pallas and the Centaur* (c. 1482) and *Venus and the Three Graces Presenting Gifts to Giovanna degli Albizzi* (1484).
*   **Sistine Chapel Frescoes:** Between 1480 and 1481, Botticelli and his workshop created significant frescoes in the Sistine Chapel, including *Temptations of Christ*, *The Trials of Moses*, and *Punishment of the Rebels*.
*   **Religious Art and Altarpieces:** He authored numerous religious works such as *Adoration of the Magi* (1475), *Madonna of the Magnificat* (c. 1481–1483), *Madonna of the Pomegranate* (c. 1487), *San Barnaba Altarpiece* (c. 1487), and *The Mystical Nativity* (1500).
*   **Portraiture:** Botticelli painted portraits of notable figures, including *Portrait of a Man with a Medal of Cosimo the Elder* (c. 1474), *Portrait of Giuliano de' Medici* (c. 1478–1479), and *Portrait of Dante* (c. 1495).
*   **Illustrations and Series:** He illustrated the *Divine Comedy Illustrated by Botticelli* manuscript (c. 1485) and painted series such as *Scenes from the Life of Saint Zenobius*, *The Story of Virginia* (1501), and *The Story of Lucretia* (c. 1500).

## FAQs
**What are Sandro Botticelli's most famous works?**
Botticelli is most renowned for *The Birth of Venus* and *Primavera*, two iconic mythological paintings located in the Uffizi. He is also famous for his frescoes in the Sistine Chapel, including *Temptations of Christ* and *The Trials of Moses*.

**Did Botticelli work with other famous artists?**
Yes, he was affiliated with Andrea del Verrocchio, a prominent 15th-century sculptor, goldsmith, and painter. He also collaborated with Filippino Lippi on the painting *Madonna and Child* (c. 1467–1468).

**What types of painting did Botticelli specialize in?**
He worked across multiple genres, including religious painting, mythological painting, history painting, and portraiture. His output ranges from altarpieces and frescoes to panel paintings and manuscript illustrations.

**What is the significance of *The Mystical Nativity*?**
Painted in 1500, *The Mystical Nativity* is one of Botticelli's later works and is notable for its inscription and the political and religious context of its creation toward the end of his career.

**Are there geographic features named after Botticelli?**
Yes, a crater on the planet Mercury is named "Botticelli" in his honor.

## Why They Matter
Sandro Botticelli played a pivotal role in the development of Florentine art, bridging the Early Renaissance and the High Renaissance. His mythological works, particularly *The Birth of Venus* and *Primavera*, are considered pinnacles of linear grace and poetic beauty, influencing the aesthetic standards of Western art. His contributions to the Sistine Chapel placed him among the elite artists of his time, working alongside figures like Perugino and Ghirlandaio. Botticelli's distinct style—characterized by ethereal figures and flowing lines—left a lasting legacy on the history of painting, and his works remain central to the study of Renaissance art history.

## Notable For
*   Creating *The Birth of Venus* and *Primavera*, two of the most recognizable paintings in the world.
*   Painting frescoes in the Sistine Chapel (*Temptations of Christ*, *The Trials of Moses*, *Punishment of the Rebels*).
*   Illustrating Dante's *Divine Comedy* in a manuscript format.
*   Producing a vast array of Madonna paintings, including *Madonna of the Magnificat* and *Madonna of the Pomegranate*.
*   Portraying members of the Medici family, such as Giuliano de' Medici and Cosimo the Elder.
*   Having a crater on Mercury named after him.
*   Being active as a painter and draftsperson from 1460 to 1510.

## Body
### Identity and Career Span
Sandro Botticelli, born Alessandro di Mariano di Vanni Filipepi, was an Italian painter and draftsperson whose career spanned from 1460 to 1510. He is also known by various aliases, including Alessandro Filipepi, Sandro Filipepi Botticelli, and Alessandro Botticelli. Botticelli was active during the Renaissance, a period reflected in his diverse occupations which included history painting and religious painting. He was affiliated with Andrea del Verrocchio, a notable sculptor and painter of the 15th century.

### Mythological and Allegorical Works
Botticelli is celebrated for his mythological subjects. *The Birth of Venus*, painted between 1480 and 1485, depicts the goddess Venus arriving at the shore after her birth. This work, along with *Primavera* (c. 1480), is housed in the Uffizi and represents the height of his artistic achievement in the genre. Other significant mythological and allegorical works include:
*   *Pallas and the Centaur* (c. 1482)
*   *Venus and the Three Graces Presenting Gifts to Giovanna degli Albizzi* (1484)
*   *Calumny of Apelles* (c. 1497)
*   *The Story of Virginia* (1501)
*   *The Story of Lucretia* (c. 1500)

### Religious Paintings and Frescoes
A significant portion of Botticelli's oeuvre is dedicated to religious themes. He contributed to the decoration of the Sistine Chapel, creating frescoes such as *Temptations of Christ* (1480), *The Trials of Moses* (1481), and *Punishment of the Rebels* (1481), often working with his workshop. His panel paintings on religious themes are numerous and include:
*   *Adoration of the Magi* (1475)
*   *Madonna of the Magnificat* (c. 1481–1483)
*   *Madonna of the Pomegranate* (c. 1487)
*   *San Barnaba Altarpiece* (c. 1487)
*   *Coronation of the Virgin* (c. 1488–1490)
*   *Holy Trinity* (1492)
*   *The Mystical Nativity* (1500)
*   *Lamentation over the Dead Christ* (c. 1490–1495)
*   *Cestello Annunciation* (1489)
*   *Madonna of the Book* (c. 1480)
*   *Madonna della Loggia* (c. 1467)
*   *Madonna in Glory with Seraphim* (c. 1469)
*   *Madonna of the Rose Garden* (c. 1469–1470)
*   *Madonna Bardi* (c. 1485–1500)
*   *Madonna del Padiglione* (c. 1490)
*   *Madonna and Child with an Angel* (c. 1465)
*   *Virgin and Child with the Infant John the Baptist* (c. 1490)

### Portraiture
Botticelli was also a skilled portraitist, capturing the likenesses of contemporary figures. His portraits include:
*   *Portrait of a Man with a Medal of Cosimo the Elder* (c. 1474)
*   *Portrait of Giuliano de' Medici* (c. 1478, Gemäldegalerie, Berlin; c. 1479, National Gallery of Art, Washington)
*   *Portrait of Dante* (c. 1495)
*   *Portrait of a Lady known as Esmeralda Brandini* (c. 1470)
*   *Idealized Portrait of a Lady (Portrait of Simonetta Vespucci as Nymph)* (c. 1482)
*   *Portrait of a Young Man* (c. 1470, Galleria Palatina; c. 1480; c. 1483, National Gallery of Art)
*   *Young Man Holding a Roundel* (c. 1480)

### Other Projects and Collaborations
Botticelli engaged in various other artistic endeavors. He collaborated with Filippino Lippi on *Madonna and Child* (c. 1467–1468). He produced *The Discovery of the Body of Holofernes* (c. 1470) and *The Return of Judith to Bethulia* (c. 1470). He also worked on the *Studiolo di Federico da Montefeltro* (c. 1476). Late in his career, he painted scenes from the life of Saint Zenobius, including *Baptism of Saint Zenobius* (c. 1500) and *Last Miracle and the Death of Saint Zenobius* (c. 1500). Additionally, he created the manuscript *Divine Comedy Illustrated by Botticelli* (c. 1485).

### Legacy and Recognition
Botticelli's influence extends beyond his lifetime; a crater on Mercury bears his name. His works are held in high regard in major museums globally, including the Uffizi, the National Gallery of Art, the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. His art continues to be studied for its contribution to the development of perspective, anatomy, and the use of color in the Renaissance period.

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