Botticelli

Today is the anniversary of the death of Botticelli who died on this day in 1510. So let’s salute Sandro a true precursor of the modern predicament. Botticelli was a man who faced the full blast of political cross-winds and had to shape his responses accordingly. On the one hand his Classical images were a direct response to the Renaissance uncovering of Italy’s Classical past and his style owes much to the scientific discovery of perspective and the development of new forms of realism, but on the other hand he is bowled over by the force of Savonarola, the mad Catholic preacher who railed against the decadence of classicist influenced erotic art. It was as if as an artist you were having to work under the shadow of Isis but of course without the edict preventing the depiction of anything. These conflicts continue, artists now facing similar predicaments. Why should they make images at all? If they do so for what purpose and for who? Should artists be using their skills to raise awareness of the predicaments we face, global warming, religious fanaticism, mass migration, the loss of socialism and the failure of other political collectives. Is art only for the rich? Is it only for those looking for investment? These are indeed difficult times within which to make art. However one thing I do know is that when we look at a drawing by Botticelli, it still resonates across the years, its flowing energy still elevates the soul and makes you aware of something wonderful about the human spirit. 

Whether Botticelli was inspired by classical ideas or frightened by the prospect of a Christian Hell, his response was to draw and in that response he has left us with a unique document of a human being responding to complex and difficult times. 

Drawings for dante's Inferno