Botticelli's Venus: The Making of an Icon

Sam Roddick explores the enduring appeal of Botticelli's masterpiece The Birth of Venus, one of the most celebrated paintings in western art. A joyous celebration of female sexuality, its journey to worldwide fame was far from straightforward and it lay in obscurity for centuries. Artist and entrepreneur Sam explains why Botticelli's nude was so revolutionary, and explores its impact on contemporary culture with artists such as Terry Gilliam, who memorably reinvented Venus for his Monty Python's Flying Circus animations.

Loading countdown...
The Gift

The Gift

2003

Rocketmen

Rocketmen

2009

Personal Che

Personal Che

2007

Rock Island Line: The Song That Made Britain Rock

Rock Island Line: The Song That Made Britain Rock

2019

Showman

Showman

1963

Undertaker: The Streak 21-1

2014

Turning of the Tide: The Ill-Starred Making of Moontide

2008

Sweet Talk: Commissions (Beirut) _ Solidere 1994-1997

Sweet Talk: Commissions (Beirut) _ Solidere 1994-1997

2019

Who Put the Klan in the Ku Klux Klan?

Who Put the Klan in the Ku Klux Klan?

2018

Je vous salue Pinard

Je vous salue Pinard

2015

Romantic Warriors IV: Krautrock (Part I)

Romantic Warriors IV: Krautrock (Part I)

2019

Queen of Lapa

Queen of Lapa

2019

La salsa Cubana

La salsa Cubana

2011

Hitler's Secret Tunnels

Hitler's Secret Tunnels

2019

Christian Quesada : du rêve au cauchemar

Christian Quesada : du rêve au cauchemar

2019

Heavenly Theme

Heavenly Theme

2019

Sonaten

2024

Documenting Police Use of Force

Documenting Police Use of Force

2024

Marlon Wayans: Good Grief

Marlon Wayans: Good Grief

2024

In the Grip of Terror: Making Talk To Me

In the Grip of Terror: Making Talk To Me

2023