Original artwork description:

My homage and not my first to the famous and popular Italian Renaissance painting. The Birth of Venus by Botticelli, painted in the 1480s has had an impression on me since my teenage years. I was in my teens when I began my first painting based on the Botticelli painting. A second version soon followed, such has been my fascination with the whole concept, together with the meaning and sentiment of the painting that it continues to hold my attention all these years later.

The subject has been depicted by many artists since Botticelli and one fairly common feature is the giant shell. There have been various methods that the shell has been propelled towards the shore ranging from mythological gods and cherubs blowing to being pulled by dolphins. This is my adaptation now with three nude females in the sea that have pushed the shell. I have retained the same total number of figures that Botticelli painted and also kept the classic shower of roses.

Much is written about Botticelli and his influence on the Italian Renaissance, together with the source of his material for his paintings. His Birth of Venus painting was commissioned by the powerful Medici family and like many paintings from that time focused on Greek and Roman mythological figures. Venus, the goddess of love was blown ashore on a giant shell with roses blowing around her. Art critics and historians mention the anatomical distortions to Venus that Botticelli made but the painting remains quite iconic. Of all the many ´Birth of Venus´paintings throughout the centuries the Botticelli version is probably the most famous.

So basically and in a nutshell, sorry sea shell, this is my take on or rather my interpretation of a painting that is over 500 years old and hanging in the Uffizi Gallery, Florence. With a few twists and liberties incorporated.

This large painting is presented in a contemporary gallery wrapped style with the painted image continued around the edges which eliminates the need for additional framing (although you could still frame it). Painted in a representational and photo-realist style on a fairly smooth linen canvas which in turn creates quite a smooth finish to the painted surface.

The canvas stretcher is of a composite construction (aluminium and wood) and therefore particularly strong, durable and stable. Could even be hung in a bathroom.

Please note that for some non UK purchasers there may be import duty liable (5% is an average guide). The painting will be shipped in a purpose built plywood crate to ensure safe delivery.

Materials used:

professional quality oil paint on linen canvas over a sturdy composite stretcher

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