The Birth of Venus
The artist
Sandro Botticelli, a Florentine painter famous for graceful figures and flowing lines.
What you see
The goddess Venus arrives on the shore standing on a giant seashell, while gentle winds and a helper welcome her.
The story
Painted around 1486, it was one of the first large paintings since ancient times to show a scene from Greek and Roman myth.
The style
Botticelli painted on canvas with light, delicate colors and clear outlines, giving the whole scene a soft, dreamlike feel.
Look closer
Watch the wind gods on the left blowing a breeze that carries flowers and pushes Venus gently to land.
Where to see it
It hangs in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, one of the oldest and most loved art museums in the world.
Fun fact
The seashell she stands on has become one of the most recognized images in all of art.