Portrait of a Young Woman In a Red Dress
by Sandro Botticelli
Title
Portrait of a Young Woman In a Red Dress
Artist
Sandro Botticelli
Medium
Photograph - Photography And Digital Creations
Description
Portrait of a Young Woman by Sandro Botticelli
Some scholars believe the woman pictured in this image is Simonetta Vespucci, another contemporary Florentine woman associated with the Medici family. Simonetta Vespucci was the “it-girl” of Quattrocento Florence, considered one of the most beautiful women in the city. Both Medici male heirs, Lorenzo de’Medici the Magnificent and his younger brother Giuliano de’Medici, publicly declared their admiration for Simonetta.
Signs identifying Simonetta’s connection with the Medici are found in the figure’s jewelry; the cameo hanging from her neck depicts a scene of the Greek god Apollo flaying Marsyas for displeasing him. The Medici, possibly Lorenzo himself, owned a very similar cameo.
In 1476, Simonetta Vespucci died tragically young at the age of twenty-two, likely of tuberculosis. The entire city of Florence mourned her loss. Botticelli, therefore, may have created this likeness posthumously. After her death, Botticelli created many similar portraits of fantastically beautiful young women, which also may or may not portray Simonetta Vespucci.
Sandro Botticelli, Profile Portrait of a Young Woman, 1475-80 (Gemäldegalerie, Berlin)
Sandro Botticelli, Profile Portrait of a Young Woman, 1475-80 (Gemäldegalerie, Berlin)
Indeed, some scholars even believe Venus and Flora in the Birth of Venus and Primavera, respectively, were also inspired by the real-life Florentine beauty queen. When creating his compositions such as the iconic Birth of Venus, Botticelli often collaborated with the Medici court poet, Poliziano, who wrote many versus praising Simonetta Vespucci’s beauty.
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March 27th, 2021
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