BOTTICELLI, Sandro
(b. 1445, Firenze, d. 1510, Firenze)

The Story of Virginia (detail)

1496-1504
Tempera on panel
Accademia Carrara, Bergamo

Botticelli structures the dramatic scene, in which Virginia is stabbed to death by her father Virginius, by means of a lively grouping of vehement gestures. The sorrowful faces of the mourning women are typical of Botticelli's late style. Virginius is turning his head to the right, creating a link to the next scene, and this is a characteristic trick of Botticelli's which he frequently used to connect various episodes with one another.