The Birth of Venus: Sandro Botticelli (Part 2)

The Birth of Venus is one of the most famous paintings in the world. So what makes Botticelli's masterpiece so enduringly popular? And why did the artist disappear into obscurity for so long? Join Alastair and James as they conclude the story of the life and work of Sandro Botticelli.

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Artworks in this episode:

Sandro Botticelli, The Birth of Venus, c.1485, Uffizi, Florence
Sandro Botticelli, Primavera, c.1480s, Uffizi, Florence
Sandro Botticelli, The Youth of Moses, 1481-82, The Sistine Chapel, Vatican City
Sandro Botticelli, The Temptation of Christ, 1481-82, The Sistine Chapel, Vatican City
Cleomenes, son of Apollodorus of Athens, The Medici Venus, late 2nd century B.C.E., Uffizi, Florence
Lorenzo Ghiberti, The Baptism of Christ, 1403-24, Baptistery, Florance
Sandro Botticelli, Portrait of a Young Woman, 1480-85, Städel Museum, Frankfurt
Sandro Botticelli, Venus and Mars, c.1485, The National Gallery, London
Sandro Botticelli, Lamentation over the Dead Christ, 1490-92, Alte Pinakothek, Munich
Sandro Botticelli, Mystic Nativity, 1500, The National Gallery, London

Recommended Reading:
Anja Ulbrich, Liam McNamara et al, Aphrodite: The Making of a Goddess, 2026
Ana Debenedetti, Botticelli: Artist and Designer, 2024
Mark Evans, Botticelli Reimagined, 2016
Walter Pater, Studies in the History of the Renaissance, 1873

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Hosts: Alastair Sooke and Dr James Fox
Additional Research: Catherine Ingram
Social Producer: Grace Dewar
Producer and Editor: Ben Harding
Executive Producer: Emma Cahusac