size of the original painting: 6.5 feet x 10 feet
Although this isn’t a scene from an actual story, the basic idea is that the mythological gods are waking up Spring. From left to right you’ll find Mercury, the Three Graces, Venus, Flora, Chloris (who later becomes Flora), and Zephyrus. And do you see Cupid flying above everyone with his arrow? Mercury is using his rod to cast away the clouds, and Zephyrus (who represents “the biting wind of March”) is capturing Chloris to transform her into the goddess of Spring. Some people think the woman wearing flowers is Primavera, who represents Spring.Fun Facts about Primavera:
• There are 500 plant species and 190 different flowers in the original painting!
• The colors you now see in Primavera have grown darker over time.
• This is one of Botticelli’s most famous paintings. His very most famous painting is The Birth of Venus.
Meet the Artist:
Sandro Botticelli lived with his parents and siblings in the same, very ordinary neighborhood for his entire life. His real name is Alessandro di Mariano di Vanni Fillipepi, but someone nicknamed him Sandro Botticelli and it stuck! Now he is so famous that if you say Botticelli, most people know who you’re talking about.
Before starting his painting career, Sandro trained to be a goldsmith like his dad. Fortunately, he learned to paint soon after! Most of his art features religious and mythological stories.
Like Michelangelo, you can find Sandro’s religious art in the Sistine Chapel. Sadly, some of his paintings were destroyed (to make room for Michelangelo’s art).
Fun Fact: Although it was never published, Sandro started illustrating The Divine Comedy (by Dante).
Where in the world: Italy
