The gods of spring gather in a woodland glade in Botticelli's pagan masterpiece. Venus, goddess of love, is queen of the season, and her loving influence perfumes this grove where the Three Graces dance and Cupid pulls back his bow. Primavera – spring – is the time of natural rebirth, courting and May dances, and Botticelli gives a grandeur and calm beauty to this moment of renewal. His painting is forever springtime, forever young Illustration: Photograph: George Tatge/Alinari Archives/Corbis
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