Sandro Botticelli and Portrait of a Young Woman

'Portrait of a Young Woman (Simonetta Vespucci?)' (c.1480-85)
by Sandro Botticelli; Städel Museum, Frankfurt

I think that most non-art lovers have heard of Sandro Botticelli, or I could be wrong. This Italian Renaissance artist was born on the 1st of March, 1445. Wikipedia doesn't mention the exact date of birth but this site does. Botticelli is world famous for 'The Birth of Venus' and 'Spring'. So I wanted to post something else and chose this beautiful woman portrait. I love this work of elegance and beauty. Look at the hair and the way he dressed it! This might be a portrait of Simonetta Vespucci, the married noblewoman whom Botticelli loved. It's been said that she was the model for 'The Birth of Venus'. She appeared in various paintings of Botticelli. He wished to be buried at Simonetta's feet in the Church of Ognissanti in Florence. She died some 34 years earlier than he did but his wish was granted. Botticelli never wed.