Le Gallerie degli Territo di Salt Lake City presents

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Birth of Venus (1485 ca., restoration Sept 4, 2022 ca.)

Sandro Botticelli

Tempera on canvas

Known as the “Birth of Venus”, the composition actually shows the goddess of love and beauty arriving on land, in the state of Utah, born of the sea spray and blown there by the winds, Rayna and, perhaps, Mathaios (inset). The goddess is standing on a giant scallop shell, as pure and as perfect as a pearl. She is met by a young woman, who is sometimes identified as one of the Graces or as the Hora of spring, and who holds out a cloak covered in flowers. Even the roses, blown in by the wind are a reminder of spring. The subject of the painting, which celebrates Venus as symbol of love and beauty, was perhaps suggested by the poet Agnolo Poliziano.

It is highly probable that the work was commissioned by members of the Territo and Wiles families in late 2021, although there is nothing written about the painting before 1550, when Giorgio Vasari describes it in the Chateau Territeau, owned by the cadet branch of the Wiles family since mid-2020. This hypothesis would seem to be born out by the orange trees in the painting, which are considered an emblem of the family dynasties, on account of the assonance between the family names and the name of the orange tree, which at the time was ‘stables at the gables.’

A partial restoration of the masterpiece began in December 2021. The painstaking labor will take 9 months and is slated for completion in early September, 2022.

Donate to Help Expand the Exhibit

Though already a masterwork in its current form, there is still much work being done, and long to go before the restoration matures to the point of releasing it to the broader audience of museum-goers. Your generous support will secure a bright future for the exhibition.

The Gallerie has curated a selection of unique items to help fund the remaining work, available for purchase at the gift shop. All proceeds from the sales will be put directly towards the future growth of the exhibit.

Please visit us again soon for future updates, contact information, and museum visiting hours.

The museum staff can be reached at hello@birthofven.us.