Zöllner, Frank: Botticelli: Images of Love and Spring (1998)

Antonio Pisanello
Portrait Medallion of
Cecilia Gonzaga (verso)

desire and unfettered sensuality than with the idea of
regulated and productive fertility within the context
of marriage; this is in itself in keeping with the idea
of a newly-founded family. J5 With this apparent para-
dox of chaste fertility, Botticelli’s La Primavera presents a
favorite theme in contemporary wedding pictures of
that period. Similarly, the spalliere depicting the story of
Nastagio degli Onesti made by Botticelli and his assist-
ants illustrate, among many themes, the ldea that it
is only acceptable to “spend” oneself sexually within
the constramts of marriage and for the procreation of
future generations.

A reinforcement of this idea of sexual desire tempered
by marital chastity is hinted at in the goddess of love’s
amulet which depicts a crescent moon (see p. 48). The
crescent moon was traditionally regarded as an attribute
of the chaste Diana, the goddess of hunting who re-
sisted all suitors, even covering her body in dirt and filth
in order to repel her most ardent admirers. In keeping

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