Artist: Sandro Botticelli Created: 1485-86 Dimensions (cm): 172 x 278 Format: Tempera on canvas Location: Uffizi, Florence   Known as the “Birth of Venus”, the composition represents a traditional scene from the Greek mythology portraying the goddess of love and beauty arriving fully grown on land, the island of Cyprus, born of the sea spray and blown there by the winds. She is standing on a giant shell, like a pearl and by her side, we can see who sometimes is identified as the Hora of spring holding a cloak covered in flowers. The painting celebrates Venus as a symbol of love and beauty and rumors suggest that it was commissioned by the Medici family as the Medusa was. "The Perfect Christmas Gift/Present"