The Renaissance was a time in European history of amazing creative and scientific change. It is a mystery why so many gifted artists and great minds were congregated during this time. Primavera represents these changes. We, at Symbrosia, draw from the dynamic changes of this historical time.
Primavera means first truth referring to the season of spring. The early Renaissance artist, Sandro Botticelli, had little idea that this painting would cause so much debate in later centuries. Perhaps, had he known, he would have written the answers that have confounded art patrons and scholars alike.
What was the artist's intention and what were the images supposed to mean? Did Botticelli join himself to the canvas and painting as if his brush was helped along from Heaven as some believe? Was he an artistic genius?
Primavera is considered to be a Masterpiece and was painted in 1478 in Florence, Italy as one of two companion pieces for Botticelli's patron, Lorenzo(The Magnificent) Medici. It is believed the painting was commissioned, along with The Birth of Venus, to be hung in the bedroom of Lorenzo's cousin and his bride, Lorenzo and Giovanni di Pierfrancesco de'Medici where it hung over the back of a chest.
Because there have not been decisive answers about the rendering, Primavera is regarded as a delight for the viewer, who is invited to choose how he or she sees it. The painting has been described as a meditation on beauty, a metaphor for civil celebrations, a wedding tale or, simply, the story of how spring began with mythological characters transforming into higher beings.
Primavera is thought to take place in a country garden of myrtle trees, the domain of Venus, the Goddess of Love, Beauty and Fertility. It is theorized that Botticelli was really showing spiritual evolution as the figures move from physical to eternal.
Reading the "story" from right, Zephyr, the West Wind, signals the beginning of spring. He seeks ardor in his intended bride, the nymph, Chloris, who with flower blooms coming out of her mouth, transforms into Flora. Her flowers bloom in April, the month of Venus.
In the middle are Venus and Cupid, who creatively instigate the emotional love between the courting couple. Cupid is the offspring of Venus and Mercury to the left.
Next to Venus and Cupid are The Three Graces. Their names are Pulchritudo (Beauty), Castitas (Chastity) and Voluptas (Pleasure). As they celebrate the upcoming marriage of Zephyr and Flora and give the bride their blessings, they also celebrate the advent of spring with a joyous dance. The three sisters are said to have reached the path of intellectual maturity. But Cupid's Love arrow has been aimed at Chastity, the youngest sister and inflamed with Love's desire, she looks towards Mercury.
Mercury emulates the voice of Knowledge and Soul matters As he points up to Heaven to show his devotion to spiritual meditation, he demonstrates to the others what to aspire to.
The evolving figures are a procession striving for deeper levels of passion, love and wisdom.
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