The Spring

The Spring, by Sandro Boticelli

Today, I´m going to talk about The Spring. This painting was created by Boticelli and it´s loose based on a 15th century work and it´s his most famous painting.

When you see it the first time, it depicts as people are in a garden celebrating the spring´s arrival while are eating fruits and dancing. This painting is atmospheric, you can feel the romance if you take a quick look at it and, perhaps, the drama. Its story is this: Venus is on the centre with a pale face. All of her is on flat tones and seems pretty unhappy. Anyhow, she reflects the beauty, the nature and the culture in this image. In fact, for Sandro Boticelli she´s a lyric´s sing like a poem. On the left you can see Juliano de Medecis, who is dressed on Mercurio and is taking an orange from one of the trees. Moreover, you can easily imagine that he will give the fruit to one of the 3 gracias, who are in a ring hand by hand. On the centre, in addition to Venus, Cupido appears and love with him. On the right you can see Cefiro who is chasing one girl whereas Flora, absolutely close of them, spread on the grass a full carpet of flowers, plenty of brilliant colours. All the clothes seem to be ethereous, everybody seems to be naked with them. 

Nobody knows completely well which are the intention of the painter. Futhermore, there are a lot of interpretations: From the Venus´allegory, the love between Juliano de medecis and Siminetta Cattaneo Vespucci ( Cupido aims to her. She died on 1476), to the months´representation: Cefiro would be February and Julio dressed on like Mercurio would be September. 

Regarding to my interpretation, that painting is totally erotic and perhaps a little bit sad. When you listen the word "spring" you inmediately think about happy music (probably The Spring by Vivaldi), strolls by fields, birds singing and so on. In contrast, nobody here are laughing or talking happily.All of the characters are terribly serious and I fel the tension what they have. For me it´s a great, amazing and gripping image: you think in happy things if you see it fast. The reality, unfortunately, is another.

About me

My name is Esther and I am 35 years old. I was born in Plasencia (Cáceres) on the 7th of November, 1979. However, all my family and I moved to Motril when I was 4 years old. My parents are both retired and I have 2 siblings: Eduardo and Beatriz (she attended your lessons in 4th and 5th level some years ago). I’m a teacher of little children from 0 to 6 years old. Unfortunately, nowadays I’m unemployed but I’m looking around to give private lessons for children while I prepare my public exams. So, I’m studying English because I need it for the public exams I’ve mentioned before, that will give me more points, and of course the more I learn, the better prepared I’ll be to teach my future pupils. About my future plans well, I imagine myself working at a school at least, living in Granada with my boyfriend and having two or three children. Returning to English, the aspects I enjoy more are all of them, except the use of English. For me it is the most boring part. Regarding the rest, I like much more reading, writing (although I'm not really good at writing complain letters and report tasks), speaking when I’m able to communicate whatever and listening, why not? I love watching films and TV series on the Net in V.O. and I’m so proud of myself when I understand them. In contrast, I’ve never been in an English – speaking country. However, I totally have to go there. Not only do I practice the language, but I also want to visit all the places I can. Nowadays it’s impossible just because I’m completely short of money, I can’t afford it. 

Now I have to speak about my hobbies and interests. It is figure ice – skating that I’m really keen on. Actually, I’m a freaky fan and I don’t miss any competition by TV or by laptop. Moreover, I have some friends who are important ice skaters and my friends and I have a group where we are the Pink Ladies. Of course, I have more hobbies like listening to music (the kind of music depends on my sense of humor. Broadly speaking, I love Tiziano Ferro, Maldita Nerea and groups of black metal type), reading books and watching movies and TV series. I prefer in both cases someting romantic, thrilling, gripping, hilarius or uplifting. For instance in the case of books, the Harry Potter’s saga (I’m a fanatic of it), Agata Cristie’s novels or The Doctor by Noah Gordon. In contrast, in the case of films, I like whatever except horror films (How Do You Train Your Dragon, Inside Out, Schindler’s List, The Miserables and so on) and prefer Medical series like U.R. or Grey’s Anatomy. But I’ve also seen Broadchurch, Breaking Bad and things like that. About my habilities I think I’m pretty sympathetic. I like listening to my relatives and friends and I try to help them. It is said I’m inteligent and understand things quickly. And, of course, I’m so good at looking after little children. I adore them, specially well educated children. On the other hand, I’m so nervous, pretty shy and sometimes entirely pesimistic. My favourite places are Granada (it’s my favourite city), Praga (absolutely marvellous and amazing) and London, why not? The people I like are: firstly, without any doubt, my boyfriend Miguel. Secondly, Tiziano Ferro for his songs and because he is so handsome. And thirdly all my group of Pink Ladies. Regarding the persons I most admire: Leonardo Da Vinci for his paintings and his inventions. J.K. Rowling for the great and magnificent saga she’s written for all the public. And finally Javier Fernández,  our Spanish ice skater who is World Championship and three times European Championship. That’s all, isn’t it?