Super Safi’s Monday Morning Musings 90 – The Birth of Venus

Morning Musically-Minded, Medically-Minded, Masticators!

(Today’s post is sponsored by the letter “M”)

Over the past 600+ episodes, The Simpsons has taken us on an amazing journey involving music, science, and food to name a few concepts.

And what better way to start your week, than by discussing some of these concepts Monday morning?

So let’s get started this week by talking about a famous work of art.

In the ninetieth episode of The Simpsons, The Last Temptation of Homer (Season 05, Episode 09), Mr. Burns is in trouble with the Department of Labour when he is found to have hired an illegal alien named Zutroy. They demand that Mr. Burns diversify his employee pool and hire at least one woman.

Mr. Burns hires Mindy Simmons. When Smithers introduces Mindy to the team, Homer’s first impression of Mindy makes him fantasize.

He pictures Mindy as the Goddess Venus.

In the coming days, Mindy poses a challenge as thoughts of Mindy cause Homer to crash into a trout pond, where the trout serenade Homer and Mindy’s romance. Every time Homer sees Mindy, he see’s just how much they have in common.

When they get stuck in an elevator together, Homer tries to think of unsexy thoughts, like Patty and Selma shaving their legs or Barney in a bikini. But his temptation and imagination continue to get the worse of him, and he starts imagining Mindy in a bikini.

When he decides to tell Mindy they should avoid each other, he writes a message on his hand with what to say. But things go terribly wrong when he sweats and the writing smudges.

Homer: “Mu- Murphy, you’s… You are a elf… Uncontrollably, I think…”

Mr. Burns selects Homer and Mindy to go to the energy convention in Capitol City. The adjoining rooms further tempts Homer. Mindy is just as arousing.

Mindy: “Homer, I got a really wicked idea that could get us into a lot of trouble!”
Homer: “Oh, Mindy, we have to fight our temptation!”
Mindy: “No, Homer. Let’s do it. Let’s call room service!”
Homer: “Oh.”

After accidentally sharing a kiss over room service, Homer and Mindy are crowned King and Queen of Energy at the convention and win a prize to Madame Chao’s Chinese Restaurant – the “sexiest Chinese restaurant in Capital City”.

There Homer’s fortune cookie reads “You will find happiness with a new love”, as they are out of “Stick with your wife” fortune cookies.

After dinner Homer tries to fight temptation but kisses Mindy. However, he doesn’t go any further.

In the end, he invites Marge for a romantic night at the hotel.

But have you ever wondered the significance of Homer’s first impressions of Mindy?

The Birth of Venus

The Birth of Venus is a painting by Italian artist Sandro Botticelli. It is estimated to have been painted around the mid 1480’s. As with most work of arts of the era and region, it is highly probable that it was commissioned by the Medici family.

The painting hangs in the world famous Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy. According to the Uffizi website, “the composition actually shows the goddess of love and beauty arriving on land, on the island of Cyprus, born of the sea spray and blown there by the winds, Zephyr and, perhaps, Aura. The goddess is standing on a giant scallop shell, as pure and as perfect as a pearl. She is met by a young woman, who is sometimes identified as one of the Graces or as the Hora of spring, and who holds out a cloak covered in flowers. Even the roses, blown in by the wind are a reminder of spring.” 

Sandro Botticelli was an Italian painter of the Early Renaissance period born around 1445. He was born and lived his entire life in Florence, Italy, with the exception of a few months spent in Pisa, Italy in 1474 and at the Sistine Chapel in 1481-1482. He died in Florence, Italy on May 17, 1510.

Alessandro di Mariano di Vanni Filipepi (c. 1445 – May 17, 1510)

Aside from The Birth of Venus, Sandro is also known for Primavera, The Adoration of the Magi, Madonna and Child with St. John the Baptist, and Youth of Moses.

Now that we’ve learned more about The Birth of Venus, be sure to come back next week when we continue our Monday morning musings with the next episode of The Simpsons.

Did you remember the episode? What’s your favourite Homer has thoughts of infidelity episode of The Simpsons? What about your favourite episode where they spoof some famous art? What’s your favourite The Simpsons art reference? Did you remember Homer’s fantasy of Mindy? What’s your favourite work of art? Have you ever been to the Uffizi Gallery in Florence? Sound off in the comments below. You know we love hearing from you.