Introduction

By Sharron Connelly 

It is my great honor to introduce Poca Venere, Little Venus, the small prototype for the Birth of Venus, Uffizi, to the world. It is a 28” x 18” tempera painting on loose, woven canvas, the same type as the larger panel and 1/16 the size. The owner, Mitchell Hall, proceeded with his research on the premise that the Birth of Venus was painted exclusively by Sandro Botticelli. Based on my forty years of Leonardo scholarship, I immediately recognized Leonardo’s hand in the painting.  Not having conducted extensive research into the life and works of Sandro Botticelli, I initially agreed to a Botticelli-Leonardo collaboration. However, after reviewing the personal relationship between Leonardo and Botticelli, by comparing the artistic capabilities of both artists, their styles, and the dates their works were completed, I was astounded. 

There is no trace of Sandro Botticelli’s hand in Poca Venere. Being the world’s greatest egotist, Leonardo would never have allowed anyone to touch a brush to any of his masterpieces. Poca Venere is the prototype Leonardo da Vinci presented to Lorenzo de Medici for approval for the commission. Full documentation of Leonardo da Vinci’s Poca Venere, The Birth of Venus, Primavera, and Venus and Mars which are identified by his ingenious multiple secret signatures made from his initials will be on Academia/Sharron Connelly. Yours, under the willow. 

Sharron Connelly, 

Leonardo da Vinci Scholar