The Birth of Venus

In Sandros Boticelli’s, The Birth of Venus, there were several different types of lines noticeable in the painting. There are actual lines to illustrate simple birds, and curved lines showing the edges of the shell. A lot of the lines were implied by the different colors next to each other. The edge of the trees and the leaves are shown by dark browns and greens against the blue sky. The hard lines of the edge, and soft lines in the folds of the fabric held by the woman who represents Spring in the picture, are illustrated by the shading of colors and contrast between the foreground and background. Lines in this photo also illustrate motion. The straight white soft line coming from the man, is suggesting the movement of air, while Venus’ curved lines of her hair reinforce this movement of what the white line implied.

In this painting the majority of shapes are organic. All of the natural elements of the painting are organic. Everything from the shapes of the human figures, to the land, tree, flowers, and shell Venus is standing on. The geometrical circle shape is predominate with the dots on the center of the flowers, parts of the plants on the cloths, and other smaller detailed aspects.

Since The Birth of Venus is a two dimensional painting the illusion of depth is implied. The winged couple, Venus, the shell, and the woman representing Spring all overlap the water, sky, and land. The land and trees in the background are diminished in size showing a great depth. All of the feet of the figures are vertically placed the bottom of the picture and raise up to appear closer. The atmostpheric prospective was shown by the changing in blue colors of the horizon line in the background. Also, by the light blue and soft white creates the illusion of clouds in the distant.

Motion is implied in this painting. The movement of the couple flying is shown by the placement of the feet, the illustration of the wings, and the implication of the cloth moving. Venus’ hair is implying motion by it being painted as if it’s flowing and not straight down. The motion of Spring is implied by arms being out and open and feet as if they are walking. Daytime is mentioned by the lightness of the colors and soft blue sky.

The illusion of light in this painting is evident by the shading of the colors and use of light colors. Chiaroscuro is shown by the gradations of the of light on the shell, the figures which show a light whiter color shaded to a nude color to imply curving rather than a line. The soft colors of the figures, water and shell give a strong value contrast to the darker colors to imply a shadow. The minimal light value contrast is shown in the water where the colors of the light blue to soft white are less intense.

Color is very important to this piece. The color implies almost all of the visual elements as described above. It implies the reality that is wanted to be portrayed. Venus and the figures are colored to look like humans. All of the natural elements of the painted are colored accordingly. Color in this piece shows everything from motions, light, line, shape and mass.

All of the texture in this piece is implied mainly by the use of color and lines. The cloth of Spring and the winged couple are shaded and lines are used to paint something that looks like fabric. The shell looks hard because of the colors, smoothness of lines, and shading.

The principles unity and variety are illustrated by the use of color. There are several different hues to create variety and all complement each other to stay consistent. The particular objects in the painting and placement also show unity and variety. There’s the unusually large shell and human figures with wings to have variety in the painting, and the natural all similar trees, water, and natural similar looking forms appease the eye for unity.

The balance in The Birth of Venus is created by placing the most important form Venus, in the center. She is then asymmetrically balanced on either side with the other two human figures. The large wings placed in the top right of the painting balance the darker, fuller side of the trees. The color of the blanket and Springs dress being light also helps balance the wings and flying couple because keeping it darker on that side would draw the eye more to that side.

Venus, the woman figure in the center of the painting is the focal point of the painting. The emphasis is placed on her by placing her in the center of the photo, making her appear to be arriving on a large shell, and showing the other images focusing on her. All of the figures are also emphasized because they are all in the foreground and are painted with great detail. The background nature, the edge of the water and sky are all subordinated in the painting. They are faded, light in color, and diminished in size.

The directional force of the painting begins at both the left bottom and right bottom. The lines and implied positions of the figures show a line that goes diagonally towards the center of the painting at the top. The force seems to end at the top of Venus’ head. The figures feet and cloud of birds are aligned at the bottom to create a triangle shape.

Contrast in this painting is shown with color for shading and implied lines. The color shows the contrast of light and shadows. The scale of the figures in the foreground implies the contrast of scale to the natural setting around them. Also the scale of the shell being large and figures having wings and flying contrasts the normality of the picture and implies and sense of unnaturalness and shows more of its meaning.

The main repetition of the painting is the same pattern on the fabrics, the birds, and forest. The fabrics simple natural pattern unifies the pictures surrounds. The repetition of the birds creates a starting point for the directional force from the left side. All of the flowers, soft natural colors, trees, water, Venus being nude, and softness of the painting are a part of making the painting harmonize.

Scale is used with the shell being unnaturally large. It’s a focus to show the couple blowing Venus onto shore with a magical feeling. The rest of the proportion is more of a natural humanistic scale to humans and nature. The fact that there are three human figures is implying the importance of them and the focal point of Venus.

All of these visual elements and principals of designs are major factors in interpreting the meaning of the working. The use of the colors, forms, and lines depict Venus being born as the goddess of love. The softness of these elements and colors shows her and loving and quiet. The showing of no clothes shows the birth and pureness of the meaning of love. Venus is also implying a sense of modesty, gazing at the viewer but keeping head slighting turned down. She is showing modesty by covering her body slightly. The fact that the wind is a couple is implying love is creating her. The light, the colors, and the contrasts show the painting as being light and airy. Spring is shown to be waiting for Venus ready to clothe and prepare her for the season which is seems to represent love itself. The curved, soft and implied lines make it whimsical and dreamy. The painting clearly depicts a interpretation of how love was born.