Botticelli (1445 – 1510) was an Italian painter during the Early Renaissance. His real name was Alessandro di Mariano Filipepi, but he is best known by his nickname, Botticelli, which means “little barrel” in Italian. He was born in Florence, and initially trained as a goldsmith. However, he eventually became one of the leading artists of the Florentine Renaissance. He is best known for his paintings The Birth of Venus and Primavera.

Botticelli’s style was characterized by its ornate, painterly quality. His figures were often depicted in graceful poses, with an emphasis on beauty and sensuality. He also used a lot of symbolism in his work, often referencing classical mythology or the Bible.

Although Botticelli was quite popular in his time, he fell out of favor after the High Renaissance period. However, he experienced a revival in popularity during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His work is now considered to be some of the finest examples of Early Renaissance painting.