Early Renaissance painter Sandro Botticelli was one of the Florentine artists who contributed to the frescoed walls and ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. The bulk of Botticelli's early paintings depicted biblical scenes, and many of them, such as the Birth of Venus and Primaveraare among the most admired and recognizable works of art from the period.

Upon finishing school, Botticelli was sent to apprentice under a goldsmith, but his preference for painting led him to turn to master painter Fra Filippo Lippi for instruction. By 1470, Botticelli had established his own studio and painting style, which implemented his master's attention to linear perspective, elaborate costuming and use of pale hues with his own preference for darker colors, more robust figures and unparalleled ability to recreate human forms and expressions.

• Renaissance Guy: Sandro Botticelli: Significant Pursuit

• Neatorama: Bottacelli illustrates Dante

• Cartoon Stock: Botticelli

• Flickr: Art Joke: Botticelli

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