Myth of Primavera

Sandro Botticelli's masterpiece Primarvera painted in 1478 with no clear explanation for the combination of characters it is to be viewed left to right the bright colors contrasting with the dark trees and foliage behind the paint pigments are divine the flesh colors pale and sublime on the far right the mighty west wind Zephyr chases a white wispy woman and when he catches her she exhales flowers and changes into Flora the goddess of Spring who then strews the ground with blooms from her beautiful tapestry like embroidered dress in the center of the painting a subdued Venus of love gestures to the three graces who personify beauty, grace and charm to dance with their filmy gowns caressing in an eternal circle on the flower strewn ground on the left the Greek God Mercury disturbs the clouds above with his staff held in his left hand and cupid flies with his arrow ready no matter what Botticelli's intended the effect is beautiful with his attention to detail I imagine the painting as being the joy of Spring ___________________ April 29, 2022 Poetry/Ekphrasis/Myth of Primavera Copyright Protected, ID 04-1451-725-29 All Rights Reserved, 2022, Constance La France Written for the Standard contest, A Brian Strand Premiere Choice sponsor, Brian Strand , Judged 05/04/2022 Fifth Place