Alessandro di Mariano di Vanni Filipepi (c. 1445[1] – ), better known as Sandro Botticelli (/ ˌbɒtɪˈtʃɛli / BOT-ih-CHEL-ee; Italian: [ˈsandro bottiˈtʃɛlli]) or simply Botticelli, was an Italian painter of the Early Renaissance.
Sandro Botticelli was one of the greatest painters of the Florentine Renaissance. His Birth of Venus and Primavera are often said to epitomize for modern viewers the spirit of the Renaissance.
Influenced by the revival of Greek and Roman ideas in Florence at the time, Botticelli was one of the first Western artists since classical times to depict non-religious subject matter. The idea that art could be for pleasure, and not only serve religious purposes was a breakthrough for Western art.
Sandro Botticelli, The "Chief Framer", Head of a Youth Wearing a Cap; a Right Forearm with the Hand Clutching a Stone; and a Left Hand Holding a Drapery, 1480/1485, metalpoint heightened with white gouache on mauve prepared paper, Woodner Collection, Patrons' Permanent Fund, 1991.190.1.a
Discover the famous works of art by Botticelli, from The Birth of Venus to Primavera, plus the stories behind them and where to see them.
Florence artist Sandro Botticelli was arguably the best Humanist artist of the Early Renaissance Era, despite the fact that much of his history and inspirations are still obscure to us even in the present.
Sandro Botticelli - The Life and Works of This Famous Florence Artist
Sandro Botticelli changed art history in 15th century Italy. Here's why the Renaissance artist is important.
The son of a tanner, he was born Alessandro di Mariano Filipepi, but he was given the nickname 'Botticelli' (derived from the word 'botticello' meaning 'small wine cask'). Smart beyond his years, the young Botticelli became easily bored at school.