'Venus' Eating Pizza in a Miniskirt... Revived as Italy Tourism Ambassador

Reborn with AI Technology... Introducing Tourist Attractions in Videos
"I'm 30 Years Old... Virtual Influencer" Also Has SNS Account

The Venus by Sandro Botticelli, a master of the Renaissance era, has been reborn to promote tourism in Italy.

According to the Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Sera on the 22nd (local time), Italy has selected Botticelli's Venus as its new tourism ambassador.

'The Birth of Venus,' painted around 1488 by the 15th-century Italian master Botticelli, is a famous work that many have likely seen at least once. Currently housed in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, the painting depicts Venus, the goddess of love and beauty, standing on a large pearl shell born from the blue sea foam. Despite the passage of many years, Venus in the artwork remains a symbol of beauty.

Revived with the help of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, Venus retains her distinctive enchanting expression and flowing long hair as in the original painting, but now she travels around various tourist attractions in Italy dressed in contemporary fashion.

Italy's New Tourism Ambassador Botticelli's Venus / Italian Ministry of Tourism YouTube

In the promotional video, Venus takes selfies at Piazza San Marco in Venice and rides a bicycle in front of the Colosseum in Rome. She also appears eating pizza in sleeveless attire on a terrace near Lake Como and wearing a miniskirt.

Italy's new tourism ambassador Botticelli's Venus riding a bicycle in front of the Roman Colosseum
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Italian Ministry of Tourism stated, "Venus will take the hands of all foreign visitors and lead them to discover Italy," adding, "We welcome Botticelli's Venus, who lends her face to promote the beauty of Italy from famous big cities to the most hidden corners."

'The Birth of Venus' exhibited at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence
[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

Venus has also opened an Instagram account. In one post, she introduced herself, saying, "I am thirty years old, or maybe a little older," and "I am a virtual influencer."

However, not everyone welcomes the 'Rebirth of Venus.' Some criticize the campaign for excessive tax spending, noting that it cost 9 million euros (approximately 13.17 billion won).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.