Botticelli’s 'Venus and Mars': A depiction of Renaissance love

Experience the collection like never before with our new exclusive National Treasures film series. In this episode, we delve into the art and mythology of Renaissance Florence with a focus on Botticelli's iconic 'Venus and Mars'.

10-minute film
Watch on demand, for free
Available only to Members

Join curator Laura Llewellyn as she offers unique insights into the painting's composition, symbolism, and the historical context surrounding its creation.

In this film, we discover the secrets behind Botticelli's iconic painting, 'Venus and Mars'. The painting, likely commissioned to celebrate a marriage, shows Venus, goddess of love, and Mars, god of war, in a playful and humorous manner.

The painting is to be loaned to the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, as part of the National Gallery's Bicentenary celebrations. This 10-minute film is exclusively available on-demand for free to Members and offers a unique opportunity to explore one of the National Gallery's most treasured masterpieces.

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Laura Llewellyn

Laura Llewellyn is Curator of Italian Paintings before 1500 at The National Gallery, London, where she was previously Associate Curator of Renaissance Paintings (2020-2023).