Botticelli’s "The Birth of Venus" and the Visual Politics of Desirability

Abstract

This project examines three contemporary re-creations of Sandro Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus, exploring how modern depictions of the same image and story return to and change Botticelli’s vision. I juxtapose the fifteenth-century painting with three contemporary re-creations: Larry Moss’ Birth of Venus in Arigami (2009), Lady Gaga’s Applause music video (2013), and David LaChapelle’s The Rebirth of Venus photograph (2019). Venus has timeless status as an icon of beauty and desirability, but she changes over time in art. The original was created during the eruption of humanistic culture in the Early Renaissance and had radical and controversial influence.[1] The Renaissance saw a rise in ideas about religion, politics, and science, that influenced artists to push the boundaries of representability by seeing the body for visual pleasure.[2] Due to the authority of the church, the nude or partially nude body was subject to censorship, and erasure. Many artworks, including some by Botticelli, were confiscated or destroyed because they were considered obscene.[3] Botticelli’s painting was a private commission as the subject matter was controversial. It hung above the bed of wealthy statesman Lorenzo de’ Medici.[4] Now the original is accessible in public space, as are re-creations of the original, as the politics of representability have changed. Censorship of the female body still exists, but the boundaries of nudity continue to be pushed and moved in art, and in public discourses about art. [1] “Renaissance Nude,” Getty Museum, Getty Publications, https://www.getty.edu/art/exhibitions/renaissance_nude/inner.html. [2] Ibid [3] Ibid [4] (“Medici: Godfathers of the Renaissance, Botticelli, PBS” 2023) “Medici: Godfathers of the Renaissance., Botticelli,” PBS (Public Broadcasting Service), https://www.pbs.org/empires/medici/renaissance/botticelli.html