Botticelli's Adoration of the Magi

Sandro Botticelli was born in Florence, Italy in 1445 and died there on May 17, 1510. Like many artists, Botticelli was not widely known until many years after his death. He spent most of his life in Florence and was one of the artists supported by the influential de Medici family. He painted both portraits and religious pictures. He combines both forms here in his famous The Adoration of the Magi. For example, the man kneeling before the baby is Lorenzo de Medici, Botticelli's patron. And, the young man in the lower right hand corner of the painting, staring out at us, is the artist himself......Sandro Botticelli.

If you'd like more information on Botticelli or want to explore more of his art, then click here to go to the Botticelli exhibit at the Web Museum in Paris.

Compare this painting with one from the European Middle Ages.

What are some of the differences between Botticelli's work and the Book of Hours?

Comparing Documents in History
Remember to identify your points of comparison.

For example, you might want to compare these paintings by looking at way the artists

• represent the human beings,
• nature,
• depth

It might be easier to view the pictures on one screen. If so,click here .