I am drawn to the famous painting, "The Birth of Venus" by Botticelli. It depicts the goddess Venus, having emerged from the sea as a fully grown woman. Arriving to the sea shore upon a shell, aligned with the myth to explain her birth. On her left, the wind god carries his bride towards the threshold, blowing the shell amongst a shower of roses, gently caressing her hair and the incoming waves that seamlessly break over the shore. As Venus is about to step onto dry land, a hand maiden waits patiently for the goddess to come closer, reaching out to cover her shy naked body with a cloak. Venus' contrapposto stance depicts grace as she carefully leans on one hip, modestly covering her private parts, slightly revealing her sexuality.
It's been said that this painting "illustrates the birth of love and spiritual beauty as a driving force of life. Once she lands ashore, the goddess of love will don the earthly garb of mortal sin", an act that could lead to the creation of a new life or the possibilities of an everlasting one. Once draped in earthly garments does she become a personification of the church which offers a spiritual transport back to the pure love of eternal salvation? In this case the shell upon which this image of Venus stands could be seen as a symbolic pilgrimage. "The sea brings forth Venus just as the Virgin gives birth to the ultimate symbol of love, Christ." Is Botticelli's Venus meant to represent the idea of divine love?
Rather than choosing one of the many interpretations offered for Botticelli's depiction of the Birth or Arrival of Venus, I think it's better to view it from a variety of perspectives. This layered mythological, political, and religious composition was intended to portray the goddess as the epitome of beauty arousing humans to physical love at first sight, then inspiring intellectual love upon second glance. After further investigation, one might be inspired to lift the mind towards the Creator. Lets get lifted.
When I became a mother, I experienced The Rebirth of Venus. I have my own ideas of what that means as I add my own layers to the many layers of this great classic. I'll explain more about my motives as it progresses and as she emerges, but can I just say....I am so addicted to illustration as fine art. It makes all the spit rush to my mouth....soul stirring artful storytelling at its' finest. Food for my soul.
"The Rebirth of Venus"
WIP
And just in case you were wondering, my Venus arrives on a cowrie shell and my hand maiden, and my God who controls my wind, just so happen to be trees....anything less would be uncivilized.
I was not expecting the mural project to be as fun as it was. Although when I first heard about the mural project I was expecting it to be fun but I did not think I would have as much fun as I did. I have also gotten closer to my peers on an artistic level by learning about their treasures .this was also a self-discovering journey. I found out about myself and personal life.
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