La Primavera (Spring)

Commissioned by Lorenzo and Giovanni di Pierfrancesco de' Medici, cousins of Lorenzo il Magnifico, in 1498 this painting was in their florentine residence. Probably based on a theme suggested by Poliziano, it depicts a symbolic and allegorical subject with a complex interpretation: the Realm of Venus. Zephyr chases the nymph Chloris, who turns into the goddess Flora at right. Venus is underneath a blindfolded Cupid in flight with the three Graces and Mercury at left.