Paintings of religious subject-matter (page 1)

Even though Botticelli's present reputation and fame are primarily based on his mythological paintings, he, like all the artists of his age, created mainly religious works. There was a considerable demand for religious paintings centering on the Madonna. Botticelli's workshop assistants carried out the less important of the numerous commissions, either following his designs or copying his own paintings. Large altar panel paintings from Botticelli's hand still exist which date from the 1480s, commissioned by private patrons or guilds. He was also in demand as painter of frescoes many of them have since been destroyed.