In 15th-century Florence, Sandro Botticelli, considered one of the greatest painters of the Renaissance, created the masterpiece La Primavera, a mythological allegory that encapsulates the very essence of spring. Art historian and author Laura Morelli explores the cultural and artistic context that gave rise to Botticelli’s meditation on a lush and fertile world.
She highlights the complex and beautiful symbolism of the painting, with its tapestry of characters, themes of renewal, and 500 identifiable species of flowers and plants. At first glance it seems a straightforward celebration of the season, but its precise meaning continues to intrigue art historians, who have found within it references to neoplatonic ideas and the literature and poetry of Dante and Ovid. However, all agree it is a poetic symphony of color, allegory, and Renaissance philosophy.
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1/2 credit*
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*Enrolled participants in the World Art History Certificate Program receive 1/2 elective credit. Not yet enrolled? Learn about the program, its benefits, and how to register here.
