Looking at Botticelli

The author writes about the recent exhibition of Botticelli's art, primarily focused on his drawings, that was presented at the San Francisco Legion of Honor. Botticelli lived in Florence during the Early Italian Renaissance. A brief overview of Botticelli's life and his times is provided. Although he was well regarded as an artist during his lifetime, his art was largely forgotten for nearly four hundred years. Botticelli's reputation grew during the twentieth century and he continues to command our attention. This essay explores the psychological reasons for our attraction to his art. Botticelli was highly talented at drawing and painting the human form, and he gave creative emphasis to the eyes. His emphasis on both may not have been entirely coincidental. He seemed to have known that appreciation of art occurs within a field including the artist, their creation, and the viewer.