Above: The Birth of Venus. Sandro Botticelli 1482-1486. The Italian Renaissance, a period of revival, from medieval to modern times. A glorious time to have been a woman, a time when Kate Moss would’ve been cast aside and seen as nothing more than an frightfully skinny little bankrupt beggar. During this period, women with child bearing hips and a with a few extra pounds (stones) were seen as attractive. Perhaps, far more attainable than the skinny heroin slut junkie look, that society demands from us today. We know the only motto Miss Moss can remember is, ‘“Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels.” I, do, actually agree, I have no real clue why the world was so shocked when she said that. Okay, it's not great for young impressionable girls to read, but .................
Not that I am, by any means skinny, but I can remember how good it felt. Please do not blame me if you now become anorexic. Anyway, before this descends into the Great British weight debate, let’s get back to Botticelli.
Botticelli’s most famous lady is of course Venus, the goddess of love. Venus with her rounded stomach and full figure was considered to have the ideal figure. Ideal because, her figure showed she was wealthy enough to eat, healthy and therefore a bit of a catch.
The Birth of Venus, the painting illustrates the beginning of all beginnings. The birth of the goddess of love herself…………………….
