Venus and the Three Graces Presenting Gifts to a Young Woman

This fresco was once part of the decoration of the Villa Macerelli near Florence, which belonged to Giovanni Tornabuoni, uncle of Lorenzo de' Medici and head of the Roman branch of the Medici Bank. It was created by one of the most famous artists of the Italian Renaissance, Sandro Botticelli. It was probably commissioned for the wedding in 1486 of Giovanni's son Lorenzo to Giovanna of the Albizzi family, and is therefore thought to depict the two. In the part we present today, we see a young woman, probably Giovanna Albizzi, being received by Venus and the three Graces. Giovanna holds open a white cloth, into which Venus is laying roses symbolizing beauty and love. Next to her, we see Cupid. In this situation, it acts as a hint of the wedding ceremony. Venus here is the bride, accompanied by the three Graces. The background for the entire composition is a blooming garden.

Beautiful, isn't it?

Botticelli is one of the stars of our 50 Masterpieces Postcard Set!

P.S. You might have not seen this beautiful fresco before, but you definitely know Botticelli's La Primavera. <3