Contents
List of Illustrations
Acknowledgements
How the Discovery Came About
Part IOVERVIEW
1Introduction
2Interpretations
3A Very Private Location
Part IIESSENTIAL BACKGROUND
4The Medici – Violent Politics and Sublime Aspirations
5Botticelli – Painter and Mystagogue
6Classical Rebirth
Part IIITHE VISUAL LANGUAGE OF BOTTICELLI’S ENIGMA
7Early Observations Leading to this Enquiry
8A Madonna called Venus
9The Esoteric Graces
10Cupid and the Bride
11A Medici as Mercury
12Changing Natures
13Botticelli’s Concealed Device
Reading La Primavera
Concluding Remarks
Appendices
1The Botanicals
2Location and Dating
3Poetry to Inspire a Painter
4An Important Letter
5Ficino – Tutor to the Painting’s Owner
Bibliography
Index
