Page "The Birth of Venus (Botticelli)" Paragraph 18

: These essentially pagan readings of Botticelli's Birth of Venus should not exclude a more purely Christian one, which may be derived from the Neoplatonic reading of the painting indicated above.

Viewed from a religious standpoint, the nudity of Venus suggests that of Eve before the Fall as well as the pure love of Paradise.

Once landed, the goddess of love will don the earthly garb of mortal sin, an act that will lead to the New Eve-the Madonna whose purity is represented by the nude Venus.

Once draped in earthly garments she becomes a personification of the Christian Church which offers a spiritual transport back to the pure love of eternal salvation.

In this case the scallop shell upon which this image of Venus / Eve / Madonna / Church stands may be seen in its traditionally symbolic pilgrimage context.

Furthermore, the broad expanse of sea serves as a reminder of the Virgin Marys ' title stella maris, alluding both to the Madonna's name ( Maria / maris ) and to the heavenly body ( Venus / stella ).

The sea brings forth Venus just as the Virgin gives birth to the ultimate symbol of love, Christ.