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He embraces Chloris; he is transforming her from nymph into Flora the goddess of spring; Flora
is the figure between Chloris and Venus. This painting is Botticelli?s conception of spring in a
reverse pagan concept.
One of Botticelli?s greatest additions to the artwork he created was the amazing symbolism
within. The symbolic meaning to this painting is while spring awakens the world to the beauty,
Venus uses love to turn the human heart to truths divine (1:78). This painting is mostly based on
the beauty and renewal of life in spring, it also focus? on love. Venus, the center point of this
painting stirs the flowers to life with her warm winds. Venus is the symbol of spring this is seen
by the adornment of flowers by the graces. She, not only a symbol of spring, represents
civilization, governing the world and the actions of men. There are many interpretations of
Venus, another idea is the portrayal of spiritual love, with above her, a bandaged Cupid in the
process of shooting one of his arrows. Further to the left are the three graces, their fingers
entwined, their hair delicately waving and their transparent dresses, they are dancing
harmoniously, while Mercury dispels the clouds from the flower filled garden, with his
caduceus. This wooden stick with two snakes twisting around it, is a symbol of medicine (3:2).
Mercury himself is not merely a handsome youth but a revealer of the truth as he touches the
clouds to unveil the mysteries (1:78). The characters in this piece have a great depiction of the
thoughts of Botticelli.
The painting itself has many underlying meanings, also. For example, the blossoming gardens
represent the metaphor for the fertility of Flora. Chloris and Flora are the same people in this
painting though they are portraying the metamorphosis they she is going throw. The graces may
symbolize liberty. These additions to the painting that Botticelli made had a huge influence on
the way many people perceive him and his work. This painting?s theme is mainly based on the
vivid symbols and representations. Botticelli had a true gift of including and understanding all
aspect of artwork when creating this piece. In Birth of Venus much of the same symbolism
carries over to add interest and a personal touch to his work. Many of Botticelli?s successors owe
much to this man who paved a wonderful road to the use of symbolism.
The symbols, the story line, the style of this artwork all come together to form a harmonious
conception that the renewal of spring brings. Botticelli?s every brush stroke signifies the beauty
and mysteriousness of the mythological story depicted in this piece. Botticelli brings to life the
peacefulness and abundance of new life to Venus? garden. This painting is truly a highlight of
Renaissance culture and art at its peak, with the fluid brush strokes, the statuesque characters and
the true meaning of spring brought together.
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1. Canto, Lillio. The Renaissance, the Invention of Perspective. New York: Chelsea House
Publishing, 1994
2. Korn, Irene. Great Masterpieces of the World. New York: Robert M. Tod, 1997
3. Neoplatonism
www.connect.net/ron/neoplatonism.html
4. Setton, Kennith. The Renaissance, Maker of Modern Man. Washington DC: 1970
5. The Uffizi: The Official Guide. Florence, Italy: Giunti Gruppo Editorial, 1998