Botticelli’s 'Venus and Mars': A depiction of Renaissance love | National Gallery

Discover the secrets behind Botticelli's iconic painting, 'Venus and Mars'. Join Curator Laura Llewellyn as she offers unique insights into the painting's composition, symbolism, and the historical context surrounding its creation.
The painting, likely commissioned to celebrate a marriage, shows Venus, goddess of love, and Mars, god of war, in a playful and humorous manner.
Botticelli's 'Venus and Mars' is currently on loan to The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge.
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[@jillyb9995]

I've never seen this painting in real life but every time it was on screen in this video I found myself being drawn to its beauty, its drama and its cheekiness. It's got it all and is stunningly beautiful... I don't think I'd be able to draw myself away from it if I did get to see it in real life!😊

[@tina8508]

I love art but I am never able to see all the elements of a painting without a wonderful, rich and insightful description from an expert art historian! I learned so much. Thank you! ❤

[@sacredkinetics.lns.8352]

Thank you so much. Very interesting; well appreciated. 🌺

[@songOmatic]

I've been a student of art and art history for 40 years, and am just realizing recently: *Botticelli is the greatest Renaissance artist of all.* His paintings express the joy of life, universal themes of humanism, and the visual decadence of a true master painter.

[@purkaitsurajit53]

Botticelli's Venus and Mars is one of the greatest masterpieces one encounters when visiting The National Gallery. Such a beautiful and detailed explanation would greatly assist in understanding the finer details of this great artwork and appreciate this glorious masterpiece of the Italian Renaissance!!😍😍❤️❤️

[@Prudence01]

Thank you for this.

[@nationalgallery]

Thank you for watching!

[@johnreynolds5407]

Superb explanation and presentation.

[@nideknil]

I whole heartedly agree. Beautifully presented, clear, and thought provoking.

[@user-wc8gi7bp6q]

Excellent visual analysis of this beautiful work and its many allegorical elements. 🙌 🙌

[@roxtar_7]

I loved your insight, I love this painting, and your final words were so poetic and more true in this so called modern world than ever

[@grokeffer6226]

Very insightful. 🖼🎨🖌

[@PhilipMurphyExtra]

Thanks you for this video 👍

[@augustosolari7721]

What about the honeycomb? It seems to suggest that although sweet, love can also sting? Or is it there to suggest the sting of cupids arrow?

[@nideknil]

That is very interesting and thought provoking idea.

[@judyjudy51]

love can be a hornet’s nest

[@adamjeffries7235]

In the battle of love vs war..love always wins

[@bookofdust]

A big discussion point not mentioned is how did this work survive the Bonfires of the Vanities, when so many others of his, perhaps much like it, didn’t? Botticelli fell hard under the influence of Savonarola and willing fed his masterpiece to the cleansing flames, how did it escape this riotous movement in Firenze? Is it possible that it had already left the city early in its creation, part of a trousseau of a daughter of Firenze married off to some other city state? What do we know of it’s provenance that might hint at that and how it made its way to England?

[@nideknil]

I am curious about this too.

[@isashax]

Fantastic analysis! Thanks!

[@christianfrommuslim]

A strong alternative view might be the allegory of Prudence and Decadence, which would also be an appropriate theme for newlyweds.

[@thomasminarchickjr.7355]

Venus and Mars are alright tonight 🎶

[@findingzero2222]

Thank you. ☺️ A Divine Love. Moi et toi…🫀🪢🫀🤟🫵

[@kidmohair8151]

what a lot of interesting information you have provided, dare I say, to flesh out our understanding of this, frankly, still seductive work. thank you! (I think the tube'y'all unsubscribed me. an error I have rectified)

[@jarosawbielski2301]

"Come, eat my food, drink the wine she has prepared!"

[@RobCoghanable]

Looks soft to me the helmet stands out in the work what is that it seems to be a guard on the lance if that is what we are looking at please explain the satyr with the giant helmet.

[@judyjudy51]

I see this as playful and mischievous. Mars has let down his guard.

[@donaldauguston9740]

She looks a lot like Venus in the "The Birth of Venus" by Botticelli. Perhaps this is her sense of boredom of a man who has fallen asleep after a few moments of passion. It happens!