Botticelli's Primavera depicts Venus and Cupid in a lush garden surrounded by figures representing spring, including the Three Graces dancing and Zephyr pursuing Chloris, who is transforming into Flora. Mercury is shown keeping the rain clouds away. The painting illustrates a classical myth about the arrival of spring through its inclusion of numerous Greek springtime gods and goddesses as well as abundant flora.

1. First created 30 May 2021. Version 1.0 - 6 Jun 2021. Daperro. London.
Primavera
Completed in 1482 by Sandro Botticelli
Venus in Primavera

2. La Primavera
With Cupid
shooting arrows
Venus
While the
Three Graces
are dancing
Zephyr is
pursuing
Chloris
.. as
Chloris
Is
turning
Into
Flora
In the garden of
.. and
Mercury
keeps
the rain
clouds
away

3. We found ourselves in the garden of a very dignified Venus with her son Cupid
shooting arrows at the Three Graces
Garden of Venus

4. Venus & Cupid
Although it was Spring, yet the trees were full of
leaves and laden with fruits (golden apples?)
and flowers.
Although she in the centre of the painting but
she look more confidence and reserved.
Unlike the ‘Birth of Venus’, this Venus has no
sex appeal compare to the Three Graces or
the attractive-ness of Flora.
She raised her right hand. Is this a blessing
gesture? Does she looks more like the Virgin
Mary? What about cupid, representing baby
Jesus?

5. Venus’ Costume
Venus’ Costume in detail.

6. Three Graces
The Three Graces representing
beauty, desire and fulfilment. These
sensual revealing semi-nudes were
dancing in a circle, feeling the breeze
from Zephyrus, as indicate by wafts of
hairs.
Are the Graces in the garden
celebrating Spring or female beautiful
or the embodiment of love?

7. Three Graces
What intricate hair style?

8. Three Graces

9. Mercury

10. Mercury Stirring the Clouds
Mercury stirring the dark clouds.

11. Foliage Above Flora
Foliage over Flora, Cloris and Zephyrus.

12. Chloris & Zephyrus
Zephyrus blue with sinister rode in a gust
of wind pursuing Chloris, clasping hold of
her. While Chloris with suspicious eyes
was running away from him at the
moment of her metamorphosis into Flora.
Her breath began to turn into flowers.

13. Birth
of
Venus
La
Primavera
Chloris & Zephyrus
The contrast between the two paintings on
Zephyrus and Chloris cannot be more different.
On the ‘The Birth of Venus’ their entwined bodies
suggests a loving relationship.
On the ‘Primavera’ their relation is one of fear and
violence. In the legend, Zephyrus marries Chloris
after raping her. It is a story of turning away from
lust to a everlasting relationship. Is this a
statement about a political marriage?

14. Flora
Flora in her glorious embroidered
dress stepped forward to sprinkle
flowers, as she proclaimed the arrival
of Spring.
Flora was the rebirth of Chloris. It is
the beginning of a new life.

15. Flora
Flora carried the flowers on a fold of her dress.

16. Carpet of flowers
“There are 500 identified plant species depicted in the painting, with about
190 different flowers of which at least 130 can be specifically identified.”
Ref : Wikipedia –Primavera (Botticelli).

17. A view on La Primavera 1
Mercury stirring the cloud

18. A view on La Primavera 2

19. Primavera

20. Music ‘Love Theme from Romeo and Juliet’, composed
by Nino Rota from the film ‘Romeo and Juliet’
The End

21. Take A Painting