Why is Botticelli's most famous painting so disappointing?
My visit to see The Birth of Venus at the Uffizi provokes some unexpected art making
This time last year I was at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, excited to see Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus. But what a let down! How can it be that, when faced with such an iconic work of art, it makes such little impact on me? I put my disappointment down to the over-commercialisation of the image. For decades, the famous shell-surfing nude is found on coffee mugs, tank-tops, bags, tea-towels, lens-cleaners … the list goes on. Has the popularity of this image created such a mash-up in my head that the original work, made 500 years ago, is just another pastiche? I can hear all the art purists self-combust in outrage at the thought, and I like that.
I’m as guilty as the next person of buying trinkets of famous artworks. As I write this text I realise that within arm’s reach lies the microfibre lens cloth bought from the Uffizi gift shop, printed with Botticelli’s Primavera. I can’t afford the J.P Gautier designed tank top. I made my own. Perhaps it’s the start of a long and fruitful modelling career.
Anyway, back to the visit.
I wander through the grand corridors, a bit shell-shocked at my disappointing revelation. While strolling past hundreds of portraits of dead people, and circling finely chiselled buttocks, I’m trying to avoid the hordes of people walking intently from piece to piece. Their urgency to consume as much art as humanly possible creates an atmosphere of frustration. It’s very hot, I’m bored, I’m tired. What relevance does all this art have to me, to us, in the 21st century?
Sitting on a bench at an intersection, I realise that possibly the most interesting aspect of my visit was happening directly in front of me. The interplay of legs and feet creates an extraordinary dance of encounter. As people enter the space there’s uncertainty and hesitancy. With minds focused on art, they’re self-absorbed in decision making: what’s here? what’s there? where should I start? who’s in my way? what do I like?
And, all the time, their legs and feet work diligently to stay the course.
The seemingly random footsteps intertwine, taking on individual lives, forming a collective tapestry of movement. The floor becomes a living canvas. It’s coming alive with a captivating display of interactions, all dancing to a unique rhythm and narrative.
I notice their individual movements: they engage in silent dialogue. Appearing to communicate with each other, walking in unison, or pausing in contemplation. Others avoid contact, maintaining their own solitary path through space.
I capture a small part of this tapestry in a short video. It starts very quietly with a single pair of legs standing at the far wall. Gradually, legs and feet reach a crescendo before petering way, leaving but a solitary pair.
Faces are excluded. We can only imagine the person from the attributes of their legs and feet. There’s an anonymising effect, eliminating so many visual cues which drive our biases of attractiveness, race, or gender. But, of course, the choice of footwear gives the game away. What a variety!
So, dear reader, I hope you’ll take some time to kick-back, relax, and enjoy the video and, if you like, leave me a comment. Next time you’re in an art museum, you’ll know what to do if you’re bored.
Next Time
I’ve got a number of paintings on the go in the studio, and some interesting video experiments. So, with a fair wind, I hope to show you what I’ve been working on.
List of Illustrations
Fig. 1 SSense.com (2023) SSense Exclusive Multicolor Nylon Tank Top (Jean Paul Gautier) At: www.ssense.com/en-it/men/product/jean-paul-gaultier/ssense-exclusive-multicolor-nylon-tank-top/10189281 (Accessed 13.06.2023)
About me
My name is David Bell and I’m an artist living in Sanremo, Italy. I write this blog for my band of supporters, giving an insight to my art and life generally living on the beautiful Riviera of Flowers.
Ciao4now … alla prossima.