The Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli

A great example of the humanist ideals pursued by painters of the Italian Renaissance can be seen in 'The Birth of Venus,' painted by Sandro Botticelli. Through his linear outlines, Botticelli provides us with a dreamlike depiction of the birth of Venus, the goddess of love from Roman mythology. Based on his choice of subject and his idealization of the human form, we can safely say he was deeply inspired by ancient Roman art.