Science suggests Botticelli's Venus suffered from a pituitary tumor

A new scientific study proposes a groundbreaking explanation for the distinctive gaze of Venus in Sandro Botticelli's iconic painting, suggesting the artist precisely captured the signs of a serious illness that afflicted his muse. For over five centuries, art historians have debated Venus's slightly askew look, often attributing it to symbolism, piety, or an ideal of beauty.

Researchers from Queen Mary University of London now contend that the model for Venus, widely believed to be the Renaissance beauty Simonetta Vespucci, suffered from a significant medical condition. The scientists suggest her asymmetrical gaze may have resulted from a pituitary adenoma, a typically benign tumor on the pituitary gland. "It is possible that the irregular placement of the eyes in The Birth of Venus – the 'strabismus' later considered a characteristic of piety and beauty – was caused by the pituitary tumor," stated lead author Paolo Paoletti.

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It is possible that the irregular placement of the eyes in The Birth of Venus – the 'strabismus' later considered a characteristic of piety and beauty – was caused by the pituitary tumor.

These findings build upon a seven-year-old theory from the same research team. After examining additional historical documents, the researchers believe the growing tumor led to a crisis that caused Vespucci's death at just 23, contradicting the prevailing view that she succumbed to tuberculosis. The scientists hypothesize that the woman experienced a tumor apoplexy, a dangerous condition where bleeding or swelling within the tumor creates an emergency.

The digital analysis of facial features, conducted using facial recognition software and artificial intelligence (AI) on five portraits thought to depict Vespucci, revealed further clues. First author Dr. Domiziana Nardelli explained that letters between Piero Vespucci and Lorenzo de' Medici describe Simonetta collapsing at a ball and suffering severe headaches, hallucinations, vomiting, and high fever in her final days – all symptoms consistent with a rapidly growing pituitary tumor. The researchers speculate that intense dancing at the reception, or possibly an attack by Alfonso V of Aragon, Duke of Calabria, could have triggered the fatal episode.

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Letters between Piero Vespucci and Lorenzo de' Medici about Simonetta's final days mention how she collapsed during a ball and then rested in a dark room where she suffered from terrible headaches, hallucinations, vomiting, and high fever. All these are symptoms of a rapidly growing pituitary tumor.