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Description: |
Simonetta Vespucci (1453-‐1476) was an Italian noblewoman
from Genoa. Renown for being the greatest beauty of her age,
Simonetta was known as “La Bella Simonetta”, “The Queen of
Beauty” and “The Unparalleled
One”, and for many, the Muse of Sandro Botticelli. On Muses,
Plato stated: “The man who arrives at the doors of
artistic creation with none of the madness of the Muses
would be convinced that technical ability alone was enough
to make an artist... what that man creates by means of
reason will pale before the art of inspired beings”.
Examination of his work demands the presence of a Muse.
Her likeness is noted in many of his paintings; one of my
favorites being “Portrait of a Woman” (c.1480/85). Simonetta
is wearing a hairstyle that would be seen on a nymph. The
pearls in her hair and the multiple braids become part of
her
gown, as if to suggest, if her hair was let loose she would
be
disrobed, revealing a very sensual overtone to the painting.
Inspired by the perfection of Sandro Botticelli’s work and
by
the symbolism eluding from the painting “Portrait of a
Woman”, I created a braided necklace of SilverSilk that is
captured within beaded cones with beaded pearl buttons for
the closure. The central component is a large pear shaped CZ
set with pearls and Swarovski crystal cup chain. Fern like
leaf
shapes add the finishing touch, and in total, represent the
stylized hairstyles of a nymph by combining braids, pearls
and organic material. In the end, this necklace is
beautiful,
alluring and steeped in history. |
