Tag Archives: Ghirlandaio

venus rising: and no boyfriend in sight

She was the perfect beauty. Beloved of prince and painter, Simonetta Vespucci was the Renaissance ideal. … The visage of a ravishing, young woman appears again and again in the art of Sandro Botticelli, Early Italian Renaissance painter. It is … Continue reading

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the good companions: spirits having flown

Why do angels have wings? In early Christian times god’s messengers walked as men. But after the sweeping conversions of the pagan world Christian artists found inspiration in the flying deities of ancient faiths. After we emerged from the cave, … Continue reading

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angels: flying against the current of progress

Angels of history. When Benozzo Gozzoli painted a rapt band of angels in 1459, he, without hesitation, gave them softly undulant robes, splendid wings, and the further support of rainbow clouds. Obviously, Gozzoli, had likely never seen an angel himself. … Continue reading

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