The Birth of Venus
The Birth of Venus by Sandro Boticelli
Visual Elements
* Line * The main type of lines that are used in the Birth of Venus are mostly actual lines. The way they are used by the artist is to form specific shapes to tell a story about the goddess Venus. There are a few implied lines are used to create the ocean as to which Venus emerges from, as well as the waves in her hair to show that it has movement. The actual lines are used to create the shapes of the nature and the angels and mother figure that surround Venus.
* Shape * * Mass * * Space * * Time and Motion * Boticelli implies time and motion have occurred with the way the figures are slightly angled towards each other. Venus’ hair is drawn so that it looks like it is blowing in the wind as she has emerged from the water, while the woman that is standing on land waiting for her is leaning towards her as to cover her with the cloth that she is holding and her feet are positioned so it shows that she is walking. The Angels are drawn to show that they are flying towards the goddess as if to welcome her. * Light * * Color * The colors that are used were used to create a calming sensation when you looked at the painting. Boticelli used mostly blues and greens which create calming nature of the artwork. He painted the ocean a blue green which is more muted than the bright blues you may see in other paintings when it comes to oceans. Venus’ hair is a golden color which reflects the light that is used in the painting which makes it a brighter color than the sky in the background which is darker. * Texture *
Principles of Design
* Unity and Vanity * * Balance * * Emphasis and Subordination * * Directional Forces * * Contrast * * Repetition and Rhythm * * Scale and Proportion
Visual Elements
* Line * The main type of lines that are used in the Birth of Venus are mostly actual lines. The way they are used by the artist is to form specific shapes to tell a story about the goddess Venus. There are a few implied lines are used to create the ocean as to which Venus emerges from, as well as the waves in her hair to show that it has movement. The actual lines are used to create the shapes of the nature and the angels and mother figure that surround Venus.
* Shape * * Mass * * Space * * Time and Motion * Boticelli implies time and motion have occurred with the way the figures are slightly angled towards each other. Venus’ hair is drawn so that it looks like it is blowing in the wind as she has emerged from the water, while the woman that is standing on land waiting for her is leaning towards her as to cover her with the cloth that she is holding and her feet are positioned so it shows that she is walking. The Angels are drawn to show that they are flying towards the goddess as if to welcome her. * Light * * Color * The colors that are used were used to create a calming sensation when you looked at the painting. Boticelli used mostly blues and greens which create calming nature of the artwork. He painted the ocean a blue green which is more muted than the bright blues you may see in other paintings when it comes to oceans. Venus’ hair is a golden color which reflects the light that is used in the painting which makes it a brighter color than the sky in the background which is darker. * Texture *
Principles of Design
* Unity and Vanity * * Balance * * Emphasis and Subordination * * Directional Forces * * Contrast * * Repetition and Rhythm * * Scale and Proportion