Fine Art Fridays #6- Sandro Botticelli

Sandro Botticelli

Sandro Botticelli was born in the year 1444 or 1445. He was born in Florence, Italy. He was part of an art period in history called the Renaissance. His real name was Alessandro di Mariano Filipepi. He earned the nickname of Botticelli because of his brother's nickname Botticello which means "little barrel."

Though he was originally apprenticed as a goldsmith to his brother, when he was fourteen he was sent to work with a master painter named Filippo Lippi. He learned Lippi's techniques well and his early work looked very much like that of his masters work, but soon he developed his own unique style and became a master in his own right.

Botticelli soon came to be noticed by a rich and powerful patron named Lorenzo de'Medici. The subjects of his paintings are mostly religious as deemed by the requests of his patrons, churches among them.

Patrons of the day were also fascinated with Greek and Roman mythology. Perhaps, Botticelli's most famous painting is of the Roman godess of love, Venus. "The Birth of Venus" was the title. Botticelli used extraordinary linework with his paint brush to give the scene movement. The figures seem to float and are outlined against the background. Though less realistic than some his comtempories works, his painting technique sought more to capture a dreamy fantasy rather than a true to life scene.

He lived to be sixy five years old.


To print just click on the image and it will appear larger. You can then save it to your computer or click on print preview before you print. You will probably have to scale the image at 70% or so.


Links
Art Smarts 4 Kids: Sandro Botticelli
Botticelli Coloring Page

Later today I will post a tutorial on how to draw the face of Venus using the correct facial proportions. *Hint* It's all based on the eye!