View the Birth of Venus | Priority Access, Guided Tours

Painted around 1485–1486 by Sandro Botticelli, The Birth of Venus is one of the most beloved and instantly recognizable artworks of the Italian Renaissance. This tempera-on-canvas painting depicts the goddess Venus emerging from the sea on a giant shell. Botticelli’s mastery lies in his ethereal use of line, delicate anatomy, and pastel palette, which gives the scene an almost dreamlike stillness despite its dynamic composition.

To avoid long queues and make the most of your visit, it's best to book a skip-the-line ticket to the Uffizi Gallery or opt for a guided tour that includes highlights from the Botticelli Room.

No separate ticket is needed to view The Birth of Venus — it's included in the standard Uffizi Gallery admission.

How to best visit the Birth of Venus

Take a guided tour for deeper insight: Booking a guided tour brings The Birth of Venus to life. Discover hidden mythological meanings, artistic techniques, and juicy Medici court gossip that shaped this painting. You'll see details even seasoned art lovers sometimes miss—like the golden aura Botticelli subtly weaves around Venus.
Find the sweet spot: Stand about 6–8 feet away, directly in front of the painting. This distance helps you take in the full composition without distortion. Step slightly to the left to notice the flow of wind from Zephyrus or to the right to focus on Venus' serene, almost divine gaze.
Time it right: The museum gets busy—really busy. Your best bet? Visit the Uffizi early in the morning right after it opens, or in the last hour before closing. Weekdays, especially Tuesdays and Thursdays, tend to be less crowded than weekends.
Capture it (mindfully): Photography is allowed but only without flash. For the best shot, stand slightly to the side to avoid glare and frame Venus with some of the ornate room decor to capture her in context.

Book tickets to view the Birth of Venus at the Uffizi Gallery

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Uffizi Gallery Skip-the-Line Guided Tour

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Where is the Birth of Venus located?

Sandro Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus is on proud display at the Uffizi Gallery (Galleria degli Uffizi) in Florence, Italy. You’ll find it in Room 10-14, part of the Botticelli Room — a space dedicated to the artist’s most celebrated works. Located on the top floor of the museum, it offers sweeping views of the Arno River and Ponte Vecchio nearby.

The painting is set against a deep, muted wall that draws all attention to its luminous color palette. The room is softly lit, allowing the gold tones and fine brushwork to glow without glare.

The Uffizi is fully accessible, with elevators and ramps available for visitors with reduced mobility. The Birth of Venus shares its gallery with Primavera, another Botticelli masterpiece, making this room a true highlight of the Renaissance collection.

Did you know?

Unlike most Renaissance art, The Birth of Venus was painted on canvas—not wood.
Commissioned as a wedding gift for a Medici cousin, The Birth of Venus stayed out of public view for years—hanging privately above the couple’s bed.
No halos, no problem: Venus is portrayed without any religious symbolism—a bold move in an era dominated by Christian themes.
Venus’ proportions are intentionally off: an elongated neck, an unusually long arm, and narrow shoulders. Botticelli wasn’t aiming for realism but idealized beauty.
Her stance mimics the classical "Venus Pudica" pose—where a goddess covers herself modestly, yet draws attention to her form.
Botticelli’s Venus has occupied modern iconography too. The New Yorker magazine has reimagined her in two of its covers: one, where Venus’ hair is blown not by a zephyr but a hairdryer, and another where a washed-up Venus is greeted by beachgoers with smartphone cameras.

Story behind the Birth of Venus

Tourists admiring Renaissance paintings at Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Italy.

Beyond devotion

While religious commissions dominated 15th-century Florence, The Birth of Venus was born out of intellectual and philosophical thinking. It channeled the Neoplatonic idea that earthly beauty could lead to divine understanding.

Botticelli's poetic approach

Rather than aiming for anatomical perfection or naturalistic realism, Botticelli treated painting like poetry. Influenced by texts like Poliziano’s Stanze per la giostra and classical myths, his Venus is more metaphor than muse.

From the depths of obcurity

For centuries, The Birth of Venus remained relatively obscure, overshadowed by grander altarpieces and frescoes. But as 19th-century scholars revived interest in myth and Renaissance humanism, the painting returned to the spotlight.

Who created the Birth of Venus?

Sandro Botticelli, born Alessandro di Mariano di Vanni Filipepi, was a leading figure of the Early Renaissance in Florence. Working under the patronage of the powerful Medici family, Botticelli became known for his lyrical style, refined figures, and devotion to classical themes—a hallmark of the humanist ideals flourishing in 15th-century Florence.

In The Birth of Venus, Botticelli masterfully brought myth to life, creating a visual poem rather than a strict narrative. His ethereal use of line, soft contours, and intentional stylization set him apart from the more anatomy-driven realism of his peers. Rather than striving for perfect perspective or proportion, he crafted beauty that felt timeless, almost dreamlike.

This painting followed the success of Primavera, another Medici commission with similar mythological roots. Together, these works represent Botticelli at his most inventive—merging ancient inspiration with Renaissance elegance.

Venus and David: Why you shouldn’t miss either Renaissance icon in Florence

Together, the Birth of Venus and David capture the soul of Renaissance Florence—where myth meets muscle, and beauty meets boldness.

Botticelli's Venus

Medium and scale: Painted on canvas—rare for the time. Life-size but feels light, almost floating.
Theme: A celebration of classical mythology and divine beauty.
Technique: Embraced stylization: flowing lines, pastel tones, symbolic proportions.
Viewing experience: Displayed in the softly lit Botticelli Room, surrounded by other mythological works.

Takeaway: Ethereal and poetic—a meditation on beauty.

Michelangelo's David

Medium and scale: Carved from marble. A towering 17 feet tall—impossible to ignore.
Theme: A study in Biblical courage and human strength.
Technique: Anatomical precision, visible veins, tense muscles—sculpted realism at its peak.
Viewing experience: Flooded by natural light under a domed skylight in the Tribune of the Accademia Gallery, with 360° access.

Takeaway: Monumental and grounded—symbol of civic pride and human potential.

See David at the Accademia

Frequently asked questions about Birth of Venus

Is the Birth of Venus included in the Uffizi Gallery ticket?

Yes, it is included with a standard Uffizi Gallery ticket.

Can I see The Birth of Venus on a guided tour of the Uffizi?

Yes, most Uffizi guided tours include a stop at The Birth of Venus, often with in-depth commentary.

Who are the characters in the Birth of Venus painting?

The two figures to the left of Venus depict the winds Zephyr and Aura, who are blowing Venus to the shore. To her right is Flora, the goddess of Spring, symoblising arrival, birth and the renewal of life.

Are there any lesser-known facts about the artist?

Many people assume that the Birth of Venus painting was inspired by Simonetta Cattaneo, a noblewoman who lived about 200m away from Botticelli. Interestingly, his tomb is at the foot of her tomb at the All Saints Church in Florence.

Is The Birth of Venus part of a themed section within the Uffizi?

Yes, it’s displayed alongside other Renaissance masterpieces in the Botticelli Room (Rooms 10–14).

What was the public reaction when The Birth of Venus was first displayed?

Initially, it was a private commission and not shown publicly—it gained widespread fame much later. It originally hung in a Medici villa before being moved to the Uffizi in the 19th century.

Can I take a private tour focused on Botticelli’s works?

Yes, book the Uffizi Gallery Private Tour to view this masterpiece up close with just your group and your guide.