Pallas and the Centaur — Sandro Botticelli. Price: $385,000. Lost for nearly 200 years, this painting resurfaced in 1895 when English artist William Blundell Spence spotted it in Florence’s Palazzo Pitti and revealed it in a local paper, igniting art world excitement. Athena Pallas’ gown bears the Medici emblem—three interlocking diamond rings—suggesting it was commissioned by Lorenzo the Magnificent as a wedding gift for his cousin Lorenzo di Pierfrancesco de’ Medici in 1482. It once hung beside The Primavera in a Medici reception hall. The scene shows reason mastering chaos: a female figure (Athena or Virgil’s Camilla) tames a centaur, symbolizing intellect over passion. Some interpret it as a nod to Lorenzo de’ Medici’s diplomatic victories. #Botticelli #Medici #RenaissanceArt
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2September 3, 2026 8.6K 1
