The Birth of Venus
The Birth of Venus, the oldest picture in the top 10 and rival to "The Kiss" for most sensual, was probably commissioned by a wealthy and art-loving member of the Medici family, which governed Florence and the surrounding regions for centuries.
With the Goddess of Love emerging from a massive scallop shell, Botticelli created an iconic figure that combines a resurgence of interest in classical Greek culture with Early Renaissance design.
Two notable differences between "Venus" by Botticelli and the majority of his contemporaries' paintings may be seen.
He began by using canvas as opposed to the more common wood to paint on. Second, it was audacious that Venus is entirely exposed, save for her long, flowing hair and a hand that (just) covers her most private body parts, because nudity was uncommon at the period.
Artist: Sandro Botticelli
Estimated date: 1485
Where to see it: Le Gallerie Degli Uffizi (Florence, Italy)
