I love that you choose this painting to talk about today. We are in 'the troubles' as well. This is a work I had not seen before and because it's quite busy, I would never have taken the time to really look at it or try to see the larger picture of the time it was painted in or the bravery of the artist.
Yes, there are aspects of this that certainly do feel a little too relavent at the moment! But I’m really glad to know this helped you to see the work in a way that you may not otherwise.
Thank you for your support. It is much appreciated.
Also George, another political point for Botticelli was the turmoil in Florence which resulted in the family he was informally adopted by and who solely supported his career being persecuted. At the time, Florence was in political chaos after the expulsion of the Medici family in 1494. The city was seen as sinful and in need of redemption. The painting’s theme of divine intervention may reflect Botticelli’s hope for Florence’s spiritual rebirth.
Really impressed by your knowledge! You’re absolutely right. I actually considered going into the political situation a bit more too - but just felt it would extend the essay a little too long today.
Superb choice as usual! Some of these ideas are explored by Edgar Wind in his ‘Pagan Mysteries in the Renaissance’ - an oldie (1960s) but a goodie. But your piece is a model of information and conciseness. Thank you!
Thanks a lot, Mike - that’s kind of you to say. And thanks for the book recommendation too - I’ve not heard of that one, so I’ll definitely look it up.
Fascinating to learn of the Botticelli-Savonarola connection. This adds yet another enticement to add (somehow in my lifetime) reading about medieval and Renaissance Florentine history. I am participating in a slow read of Dante‘s Divine Comedy here on Substack, and medieval Florentine politics enter in quite a lot. In Canto X, we meet Farinata, an adversary in Florence who Dante admired (even though he placed him in the 6th circle of hell). I see a lot of Botticelli-like spiritual struggle in Dante, too. Dante admired the classical poets, Virgil chief among them, yet because they were “pagan,” his medieval Catholicism required him to bar them from Paradise. Farinata’s fate was even worse. For one, he was an Epicurean. Yet that Dante admired him shows in Canto X—and he should admire this man: when Farinata and his partisans won in battle and his compatriots proposed razing Florence to the ground, he was the only one who stood in the way, earning the moniker “Savior of Florence.” For that alone, to my modern mind, he earned a place in Paradise.
Fascinating, as always, George. I love your ending: “Yes. Italy (USA) is in trouble . . . and the world is falling apart . . . and we really are deeply in need of a saviour . . . but, nonetheless, I, Sandro, will continue to bring beauty into life”. So relevant. Thank you!
I love that you choose this painting to talk about today. We are in 'the troubles' as well. This is a work I had not seen before and because it's quite busy, I would never have taken the time to really look at it or try to see the larger picture of the time it was painted in or the bravery of the artist.
I so appreciate your work. Thanks
Yes, there are aspects of this that certainly do feel a little too relavent at the moment! But I’m really glad to know this helped you to see the work in a way that you may not otherwise.
Thank you for your support. It is much appreciated.
Also George, another political point for Botticelli was the turmoil in Florence which resulted in the family he was informally adopted by and who solely supported his career being persecuted. At the time, Florence was in political chaos after the expulsion of the Medici family in 1494. The city was seen as sinful and in need of redemption. The painting’s theme of divine intervention may reflect Botticelli’s hope for Florence’s spiritual rebirth.
Really impressed by your knowledge! You’re absolutely right. I actually considered going into the political situation a bit more too - but just felt it would extend the essay a little too long today.
What a fascinating read! You mentioned sharing more information about Girolamo Savonarola on a future post. I would love to learn more about him.
Thanks a lot. I must admit, it’s been on my mind for a long time to dedicae a special edition to Savanorola as there is so much to say about him.
So I can’t promise anything - but it way well happen at some point!
Superb choice as usual! Some of these ideas are explored by Edgar Wind in his ‘Pagan Mysteries in the Renaissance’ - an oldie (1960s) but a goodie. But your piece is a model of information and conciseness. Thank you!
Thanks a lot, Mike - that’s kind of you to say. And thanks for the book recommendation too - I’ve not heard of that one, so I’ll definitely look it up.
This was on my shortlist for my Five Favourites!
Yes, i remember smiling to myself when seeing it on your list as it’s a piece I’ve had ready to dive deeper into for a while!
And I’m sure that just like all your other choices, we would have so much to discuss about this one. :)
Fascinating to learn of the Botticelli-Savonarola connection. This adds yet another enticement to add (somehow in my lifetime) reading about medieval and Renaissance Florentine history. I am participating in a slow read of Dante‘s Divine Comedy here on Substack, and medieval Florentine politics enter in quite a lot. In Canto X, we meet Farinata, an adversary in Florence who Dante admired (even though he placed him in the 6th circle of hell). I see a lot of Botticelli-like spiritual struggle in Dante, too. Dante admired the classical poets, Virgil chief among them, yet because they were “pagan,” his medieval Catholicism required him to bar them from Paradise. Farinata’s fate was even worse. For one, he was an Epicurean. Yet that Dante admired him shows in Canto X—and he should admire this man: when Farinata and his partisans won in battle and his compatriots proposed razing Florence to the ground, he was the only one who stood in the way, earning the moniker “Savior of Florence.” For that alone, to my modern mind, he earned a place in Paradise.
Lovely and pertinent analysis. Thank you.
Fascinating, as always, George. I love your ending: “Yes. Italy (USA) is in trouble . . . and the world is falling apart . . . and we really are deeply in need of a saviour . . . but, nonetheless, I, Sandro, will continue to bring beauty into life”. So relevant. Thank you!
Thanks Melanie. Yes, I must admit I didn’t realise how relevant this was to our modern times until I was actually writing it.
Wow, just thinking of the paintings by Botticelli that hot destroyed!
Yes, how amazing would it be to know what the pieces looked like!