How Botticelli revolutionised portraiture

How Botticelli revolutionised portraiture | National Gallery

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2 жыл бұрын

Associate Curator Laura Llewellyn discusses 'Portrait of a Young Man' by Sandro Botticelli, and explores how he revolutionised portraits.
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Пікірлер: 255

@ankavoskuilen1725 2 жыл бұрын

I was captivated by this portrait since I saw it in a book when I was 16. I have seen it in the portrait gallery a few years later. Sometimes when you look at the young man, he seems sad, sometimes arrogant, never the same.

@stinew358 2 жыл бұрын

I think the point of the captivating distortions which pique our interest is really important. So much portraiture today (and in later periods) is done with the photographic perspective which prioritizes classical ideals of reason, proportion, and "accuracy" from first principles. This is a portrait painted in the human flow of attention. We don't ever stare at one angle for long. We see the characteristic expressions and multiple angles all at once. It's captivating because we see it how we would see him if we looked at him with our own eyes.

@cstz 2 жыл бұрын

This is such a great format, short but informative, and very easy to follow. It's always a pleasure to have new NG videos. Cheers!

@DeerHunter308 2 жыл бұрын

Plus the speaker is so accomplished and well educated

@binder098 2 жыл бұрын

My God, what a poetic and intense explanation. I am subscribing and hunting out this presenter's other videos, and no I am not her Dad!

@favouritemoon4133 2 жыл бұрын

I was already subscribed but I agree, this was really great [and I'm not her mum].

@msaditu 2 жыл бұрын

Check out their other Art History in 10 min and Talks for All videos. After I discovered this channel last year, at the beginning of the pandemic, I spent so many hours watching their videos. It did a lot of good for my mental health, for which I am forever grateful. They have many wonderful and knowledgeable curators. It's amazing to me that they are sharing this knowledge for free.

@nationalgallery 2 жыл бұрын

Hi @msaditu, we're so glad you've been enjoying our videos! ❤️

@haplessasshole9615 2 жыл бұрын

@@msaditu If you want another show that's equally stimulating, though in a completely different field, check out all the *Time Team* videos you can find. It's about archaeology in the UK. Man, I learned a lot about British history and geography from that show. Gave me a whole new slant on why British dissenters headed for North America (and why they were so shitty to the indigenous people). Tony Robinson (Baldrick in the *Blackadder" series) is the presenter, so things clip along briskly. The fact that the archaeologist were selected for their senses of humor as well as their areas of expertise is what makes it so enjoyable.

@MsYugoyugo Жыл бұрын

Such a wondrous video. And it can't escape noting that the young female curator looks eerily like the young man in the Botticelli portrait. Maybe the portrait figure has escaped time itself to tell us about the secrets he keeps within this frame.

@lungsfullofwater 5 ай бұрын

She loves what she is doing! Great explanation!

@carlabravi8623 2 жыл бұрын

Amazing how in 10 minutes you went in portrait details and styles, other painter styles, the careful well explained comments of the face sitter and the human comment to close the talk. Thank you !

@johnnzboy 2 жыл бұрын

Elegantly, engagingly and confidently presented. Brava, Laura. A pleasure to watch and learn from.

@favouritemoon4133 2 жыл бұрын

That was a fantastic talk about this beautiful painting. I was engaged for every second of it.

@Jjrmtv 2 жыл бұрын

it is amazing how well defined the portrait it. he seems so alive, as if you could see him in person today

@bisil57 2 жыл бұрын

Dieci minuti spesi bene. Grazie Laura!

@arigrassi 2 жыл бұрын

I have been in love with this portrait since I was a child. The beauty of the young man's features is extraordinary. There is simplicity, softness and elegance. He is constantly looking into your eyes and you feel the need to do the same because of his expressiveness. In my opinion, this is one of the greatest portraits in the History of Art. A masterpiece.

@SaraKhan-vp6ds 2 жыл бұрын

Very well prepared and delivered. The calmness of the voice seemed like an hour presentation and yet so much information was covered in just 10 minutes👍🤩💯

@Traveljournalist 2 жыл бұрын

As a portrait photographer , I find this video very inspiring. Thank you

@carlberg7503 2 жыл бұрын

Brilliant analysis. Touching on art history, painterly techniques, and Botticelli's genius, Llewellyn explains what makes a portrait great. Chapeau bas.

@ingridllinas5612 Жыл бұрын

For the second time I have listened to all the comments. I do remember when studying the different formats in portraiture. This painting was one of my favorites. Face on was very rare at that time, and Boticelli got the viewers absorbed in this magnificent portrait of youth.

@MicaRayan 5 ай бұрын

I love your concise explanation on his portraits. I love how he played with shadow and colors

@kerenludlow2368 2 жыл бұрын

I was in love with that young man when I was a teenager!

@vasiliskardasis8642 2 жыл бұрын

Botticelli commands us to watch and see. You, Laura, commands us to listen and see. You are both masters and virtuous. Thank you for offering this gift. Now I know why I am intoxicated whenever I look at this portrait. I am humbled by your enlightenment.

@jmharris251 2 жыл бұрын

I like this format, full of key facts, explains the art. Gets to the point. No wasted words.

@BayArtwork 4 күн бұрын

Perfect sublime delivery, deep insights, nonintrusive graphics-❤️🙌

@timothybryant1539 2 жыл бұрын

One of my favourite paintings at the National Gallery. As someone else has said, a very clear and informative insight into the work. Thank you.

@nationalgallery 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! ❤️ You can find more of our 10-minute art explainers here: kzfaq.info/sun/PLvb2y26xK6Y5fL_MDdSOB8FlqNGkLKSWb

@L4LTVuk 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent - like having your own private tour guide. I had one in Florence and this beats that hands down. Superb service. More please.

@pierreandrepodbielski3311 2 жыл бұрын

Who was your guide in florence ? Thanks

@aliciapalacios3859 2 жыл бұрын

More 10 min videos, please! Great video, short, concise and very informative :)

@nationalgallery 2 жыл бұрын

Hi @Alicia Palacios, thanks for watching! 🎨 We have a playlist for our ten minute talks. You can find them all here: kzfaq.info/sun/PLvb2y26xK6Y5fL_MDdSOB8FlqNGkLKSWb

@axlathi 2 жыл бұрын

Wonderful!! Perfect format! Long enough to be truly informative and engaging while being short and concise enough to watch, pause and rewind before watching another. Thank you!!

@flamencoprof 2 жыл бұрын

07:32 That Hans Memling work is strikingly modern to me. I swear I have never held my hands in such a pose.

@dinalander 3 күн бұрын

Brilliant, thank you so much! Truly enjoyable and one of my favourite artists 🎉

@Dawn-bl8ze 2 жыл бұрын

Wow, she is incredible. This was just fascinating.

@watchmedo635 15 күн бұрын

What a lovely film, with so much learning. I have just watched the episode on Botticelli on ‘Britain’s Lost Masterpieces’ and am craving more! Fab work

@duncanselvester1045 2 жыл бұрын

Another wonderful little film, crammed with insight and information. Thank you Laura for sharing your enthusiasm and expertise.

@ecwhittemore 2 жыл бұрын

Well done! Thank you! (I SO appreciate short & concise videos as opposed to those that drag on and on with lots of "filler" and drama.)

@rosavella7548 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you. A very clear and informative insight into Botticelli’s work as a portrait painter. 👍😀

@autumnsummerbear5869 2 жыл бұрын

Yes , thanks for 10min format it is very comfortable and easy not to remember where you have stopped. Thank you for your work!✨🌻🌞❤️

@sschmidtevalue 2 жыл бұрын

Nicely done, thank you! My intuitive sense is that the subject is someone Botticelli knew fairly well and thus could take the time to study. The workshop hypothesis seems the most reasonable to me.

@charlotteillustration5778 2 жыл бұрын

thank you, that was really interesting. I have known Botticelli’s work all my adult life, but in this short presentation, you have opened my eyes to many more facets of his talent.

@kjmav10135 5 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for producing these informative ten-minute presentations. I live in the US, and am not often able to travel to London to visit the Gallery. It is one of my favorite places on the planet, so it is great to be able to make Internet visits and view these masterpieces with the commentary of world-class curators.

@theogoldberg8919 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the free opportunity to learn national gallery !

@markh7523 2 жыл бұрын

Love this 10 minute format , please keep it up

@ezicarus8216 2 жыл бұрын

Fantastic as always Laura. The detail about the angle of painting different facial features was enlightening and purposeful misalignment of features inspired. I used to produce digital music and would add low subtle distortion of live recordings as well as moving beats a tiny fraction off dead perfect to recreate the imperfect beauty created by actually talented musicians playing instruments, my attention to detail was lucky enough to be rewarded with some critical acclaim and modest success. I attribute that to luck and not my creative talent. Please continue to share your deep meaningful knowledge of these incredible artists creations.

@kimberlyperrotis8962 2 жыл бұрын

I love this series.

@lorettabertoli3736 2 жыл бұрын

Love this! Brief but very informative. I'm Italian so I guess I can't come and see this at the National Gallery (one of my favourite museum, I have to come back) but who knows, maybe a short trip to Florence could do...thanks so much for the video!

@dennischiapello3879 Жыл бұрын

Toward the end, as she described the subtle distortions of perspective, I noticed that, while the head is slightly turned to the sitter's left, it's the left side of the nose that is, nevertheless, more visible. I like this talk!

@wakateruuu 2 жыл бұрын

'His master: Frapolilililipolopili' I like this format, well spoken and constructively built. Would like the close-ups to linger a bit more though, and the parts where we see miss Llewellyn speaking for some time would be perfect for either a zoomed in version on the right or sweeping close ups, so that it's visually engaging on the piece whilst listening to her commentary. I look forward to more video's such as these.

@iR3vil4te 2 жыл бұрын

She meant to say ‘Fra Filippo Lippi’ (I assume you know that). It’s hard to go into something like that in a video like this, and you could write a 1,000 page book on relationship between Lippi and Botticelli, so it’s probably best she skipped over it. Such things are for the really interested audience like us :)))

@LockportDan 10 ай бұрын

Brilliant. Thank you. I'll be in London in November of 2024. I hope to attend a Wednesday Lecture.

@bruceschaffer101 2 жыл бұрын

I agree with all the great comments people have already made about this video. Fascinating, informative, and delightful. Thank you..

@katharinatrub1338 2 жыл бұрын

Highly appreciated your 10 minutes! M'looking forward of more... Also I appreciate much your care to pronounce the Names of those Italian painters in a perfect Italian accent!

@g.s.3450 2 жыл бұрын

I took several art and art history courses in university. However, that was just so I could meet girls. Now, it is so nice to listen to these brief, factual, and extremely well-done videos, from the National, to actually learn something about art. Good job; thanks.

@janeking9540 2 жыл бұрын

Fantastic indepth profile of the artist in such a short period of time. Very engaging. I feel that bit more knowledgeable. Thank you so much.

@ferrispictures 2 жыл бұрын

Just excellent!

@alicesweetie8349 2 жыл бұрын

As an Italian I can say her pronunciation is AMAZING! Lovely to hear

@renfletchable 2 жыл бұрын

I love this short and sweet opportunity for education. I feel so much more knowledgeable and appreciative of the art.

@nationalgallery 2 жыл бұрын

Hi @Renee Fletcher, so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching 🎨

@deelirious 2 жыл бұрын

I wouldn’t mind longer segments. Very interesting, thanks

@nationalgallery 2 жыл бұрын

We have longer videos here! kzfaq.info/sun/PLvb2y26xK6Y7xVyzAyuw7RWJsU0xmtx1I

@mariaalejandralatorre114 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent explanation of a great work of art. Always loved Botticelli. Thanks for bringing us the joy of understanding art under a new perspective.

@TheNineup 2 жыл бұрын

Great analysis and explanation of Botellicello's portrait. Impressive work!

@ChristopherJWalton 2 жыл бұрын

Fascinating film, thank you

@nationalgallery 2 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it, Christopher!

@problemimentali Күн бұрын

The thing that shocked me the most is the metal caps at the end of the string, like we have today in shoes and hoodies. No idea that was already a thing so long ago

@edwinsantos7673 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent talk, thank you! Some of the aspects you've revealed are so obvious to me now but were invisible before.

@nationalgallery 2 жыл бұрын

Hi @Edwin Santos, glad you enjoyed it!

@cluek9780 2 жыл бұрын

Love this presenter’s thoroughness

@augustosolari7721 2 жыл бұрын

Incredible as always! The evolution of portraits is so incredible...

@settembrini42 Жыл бұрын

Masterful presentation of a masterpiece - I cannot say whether this gaze is thoughtful, aspiring, tender or sad. It seems as if the subject's left eye is looking downwards and the left part of the face with the shadow reflects a contemplating, introvert person, whereas the right eye looks straight ahead and together with the right, shadow-free part of the face reflects the more confident and extrovert side of the person's character. I think the captivating effect of this portrait comes from this individual complexity rather than the generic features of beauty.

@craigathonian 2 жыл бұрын

Wonderfully presented and chock full of info. As an anatomy artist, I'm honestly doughtful that the artist purposely distorted the models features. This young man's strength Comes forward by his pure unfiltered realism. Many people do not know that a perfect face is rare, like one in several million. I feel, as an artist, paying attention to EVERY unsymmetrical feature and painting what is seen is the highest complement, especially with the subtle technic Botticelli is using. It's very hard for an artist, especially at this time in history to paint the imperfect. So I feel, this is purely a study for the artist. Now, has anyone noticed the portrait at 6:49ish ? The guy in red looks like the artist is playing with the viewer by putting the head on the body backwards. The torso is clearly the back view, with his chin above the spine. What a ya think ?

@tbam994 2 жыл бұрын

I thought the same 👍

@SIMKINYX 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing the beauty and the knowledge.

@nikishin2012 2 жыл бұрын

Beautiful speech for Great Botticelli, Thanks 👍

@Soulartist13 2 жыл бұрын

Well done, and brings the portrait and painter to life.

@alexcholagh8330 2 жыл бұрын

I love art and antiques. This is proper education

@algernonwolfwhistle6351 2 жыл бұрын

Very good. Thanks for posting.

@nationalgallery 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! ❤️

@suzanne3t 2 жыл бұрын

I loved how the palette was presented.

@isitdough8136 2 жыл бұрын

More from Laura, she is wonderful!

@steadydietzine5960 2 жыл бұрын

One of my very favourite portrait paintings. Enjoyed the video.

@simonbrooke3440 2 жыл бұрын

Fascinating insights and beautiful presented. Thank you!

@user-cz2kn2nb9r 2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely loved this -- thank you.

@suecox2308 2 жыл бұрын

Fascinating and well presented. thank you!

@PeterGaunt 2 жыл бұрын

Brilliantly explained.

@elenacampari6450 2 жыл бұрын

Beautifully informative and engaging, I really love these ten-minute art talks, thank you so much.

@nationalgallery 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching, @Elena Campari! You can find our 10 minute talks videos on this playlist: kzfaq.info/sun/PLvb2y26xK6Y5fL_MDdSOB8FlqNGkLKSWb

@j.evadostie8642 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent synopsis. Thank you.

@nancywysemen7196 2 жыл бұрын

lovely,the painting and the discourse. thank-you.

@fintonmainz7845 2 жыл бұрын

This was so well done. Thank you.

@grounded9623 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks very much; a beautiful painting and a great story - how can you beat that! Cheers from Canada.

@greenLaVitameadows 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you ❤️

@anadecozar9562 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for this very interesting and informative talk!

@marie-thereseelia2140 2 жыл бұрын

Amazing 10 minutes .. Thank you !

@judihopewell2499 2 жыл бұрын

Wonderful,tutor and lecture. Thank you

@mikericciuti5996 2 жыл бұрын

Outstanding!

@christinebeames2311 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you , really interesting

@ledlight6630 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks very much 🙋‍♀️❤

@mistertamura6190 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this. Although it would’ve been interesting to learn something about his brush technique or materials used (assuming it was as unique as his overall approach) or maybe some more details about his life, this format is lovely and I will certainly look up more of your videos.

@WhyHandleYouTube 2 жыл бұрын

The face is definitely asymmetrical albeit very slight. Art schools typically tell students to be mindful of symmetry when painting a portrait and if there is a detectable asymmetry simply ignore it but the truth is there is no true symmetry in nature. So one can argue Botticelli captured the essence of the young man in a very "unforgiving" manner which speaks volumes about his ability to capture even the most nuanced nature of a face. Thank you very much for this very well done video!👍

@hamidachan7392 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you. An interesting short,but full of information of the artist''s paintings. ❤️💜🇬🇧🌌🌄🙋😽.

@matrob4808 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you, Laura. That was fascinating.

@thea-listtv312 2 жыл бұрын

fabulous thank you very much.

@BAEwing1 2 жыл бұрын

Super job! I really enjoyed this.

@mozdickson 2 жыл бұрын

Graci, obrigado and thank you Laura. Super editing also.

@ericlamar6298 2 жыл бұрын

I love this! Thanks!

@maryperkins9687 2 жыл бұрын

Insight to this portrait is scholarly and very accessible, a great account of the painting.

@b_l_w 2 жыл бұрын

Fantastic presentation!

@davidwright8432 2 жыл бұрын

thanks for a very informative and enjoyable presentation! I must have seen that portrait lots of times in art hisory books, but have never really looked at it til now. The ability of the camera to zoom in and magnify features makes it a very different experiane from looking at a printed page. All considerations of art and artifice in producing the portrait aside, I'd like to meet him! Seems an interesting person. The slight asymmetry of the mouth is very expressive - as if caught in the middle of a reaction to someone or thing he's looking at.