The spirit of the Renaissance is conveyed by Sandro Botticelli (1444- 1510). Botticelli, a protégé of the powerful Medici family, is renowned for his spectacular Sistine Chapel frescoes and his politically charged mythological allegories. Largely forgotten, his work was rediscovered by 19th century Pre-Raphaelites who admired his highly refined use of color and form; they also shared his passion for upholding the triumph of love and reason over primal instinct.