Venus and Mars by Sandro Botticelli

In Venus and Mars (c. 1485), Botticelli conjures a quiet aftermath. The god of war lies asleep, disarmed by the goddess of love, as playful satyrs steal his armor. Set in an idyllic landscape, the scene suggests love’s triumph over violence. The contrast between Venus’s serene gaze and Mars’s vulnerability evokes a lingering tension, softened by warm tones and elegant lines. In the Slow Art format, every detail—from the gleam of a helmet to a fluttering wasp—emerges gradually, revealing layers of myth and meaning beneath the surface stillness. This work can be seen at [National Gallery, London,https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/sandro-botticelli-venus-and-mars] and [Ark UK,https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/venus-and-mars-116158]