Sandro Botticelli

c.1445-1510

Alessandro di Mariano di Vanni Filipepi

At the height of his fame, the Florentine painter and draughtsman Sandro Botticelli was one of the most esteemed artists in Italy. Born Alessandro di Mariano Filipepi he was given the nickname 'Botticelli' (derived from the word 'botticello' meaning 'small wine cask'). Despite his reputation in his later years his work fell out of favour and his name all but disappeared up until the late 19th century, when he was rediscovered by the Pre-Raphaelites who stimulated a reappraisal and subsequent renewed interest in his work

"By throwing a sponge soaked with different colours at a wall, one can make a spot in which a beautiful landscape can be seen."