I thought The Birth of Venus makes for a great Summer painting, and serves as the perfect inspiration for lots of seaside accoutrements...read on and enjoy...
This Chloe swimsuit is adorable and its scalloped edge beautifully mimics the shell Venus is arriving on. For the Sandals I thought it best to go simple, but gold and bejeweled as is fitting for a goddess. The Lanvin necklace is perfect for lounging seaside, it will remind Venus of the sea because of its color, and the flowers that fall through the air around her. Finally, some big Gucci sunglasses, because even goddesses need to protect their eyes.
The Hermes beach towel seems just the thing that the wind god Zephyr and his lover/sister Chloris (you know those gods) would give to Venus for her to lounge by the pool or on the beach. The color of it matches nicely with what Zephyr and Chloris are wrapped in themselves. The Sun print on the towel is gorgeous, a nice homage perhaps to the sun god Apollo. Of course, you need something to tote the towel, etc. around in, so how about this cute bag? Goes with the nautical theme, and the color is beautiful, a teal of which Botticelli would have approved.
The lovely lady to Venus' right is said to be one of the three Graces. She is ready to cover Venus with something, and I'm pretty sure its a Marc Jacobs dress. How lush is that color? The side bow/flower at the neck is too amazing. I think the dress would cover you up at the beach, but certainly be appropriate for viewing Venus in all her glory at the Ufizi in Florence. When I went to the Uffizi last year, and saw Botticelli's masterpieces, I was blown away. They are fun to look at in books, and are incredible in the flesh. Also, it was really hot in there, which was worried me because it cannot be good for all those paintings, so you would be fine walking around in a diaphanous Marc Jacobs dress. At least until the Italians figure out their air condizionamento.
Venus has some great hair. Its sexy-wavy-windblown. She has it tied back slightly with a white ribbon, and I think this grecian hair comb would create the same effect. The Bumble and Bumble surf spray is recommended by like everyone, and I really really need to try it. On the bumble and bumble website they recommend using the creme avec. With all the flowers being tossed at her, it seems as though one might land in her hair...and if it does its this gorgeous lily hair clip.
La Maquillage...I was going to mix things up, brand wise, but I thought the Chanel Summer look just too appropriate for the painting, so I chose to go with their whole "look" recommendation. The photo of the model, um, they must have been channelling botticelli, the tilt of her head, the flowing hair, the flower...its too much and too perfect!
Above: Splash (amazon.com), Mermaid Tales from Around the World Retold by Mary Pope Osborne Illustrated by Troy Howell (amazon.com)
Now I know that Venus is not a Mermaid, but she is certainly aquatically inclined, so I thought that Splash would be the perfect movie to accompany the painting. Darryl Hannah and Tom Hanks are so cute in this movie, and Darryl is certainly channelling Venus with that long long hair. I love it! Its the cutest movie. I have had the children's book Mermaid Tales from Around the World for a while now. Its a beautiful book of mermaid stories from France, England (the real Little Mermaid story is much sadder than Disney would have us believe), Japan, Native America, China, Ireland etc etc. Its a joy to read and the accompanying illustrations are amazing as they all follow in the spirit of their country of origin.
And I thought it best to end with Darryl Hannah's derriere. She definitely paid complements to Venus by strolling onto Ellis Island wearing nothing but her hair!
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