This ‘Allegory of Spring‘ is brilliant and shows Maestro Botticelli at his best. Usually his crowd scenes look flat and confusing - but this one is almost like a modern comic panel.

The Scene is set in in the Garden of Venus - with the lovely Goddess in the center of it all.

The figures of the painting …

Venus

Mercury

Cupid

The Three Graces or Charites

The three Charites of the Greek Mythology: Aglaea ("Beauty"), Euphrosyne ("Mirth"), and Thalia ("Good Cheer").

Flora, Chloris and Zephyrus

More? Wikipedia has an most excellent article

Click image for a MUCH larger version for more details.

Botticelli tries here to tell the story of Lucretia in three parts - but I must admit I can’t follow him. On the left section Lucretia is threatened by her rapist Sextus Tarquinius. In the middle we see obviously her funeral and public outrage. The man standing over her casket if probably Lucius Junius Brutus (no, not that Brutus who killed Caesar). And at the very right her death and discovery by her family.

The setting is certainly Roman, but the ‘costumes’ reflect more  Botticelli’s own era. Nice perspective for the architecture.

Part of the Art Motive Series: "The Story of Lucretia"

Click images for a more stunning Venus.

Once of the most iconic images of European art - and one of the greatest goddesses of all times. If you look around you we are surrounded by fit young and blonde Sisters of Venus these days.

Her breasts are a bit too small compared to the current beauty ideal and her facial expression is also a bit too innocent. We like our woman a bit more slutty these days.