Greek mythology inspiring art and literature

The Birth of Venus is undoubtedly one of the world’s most famous and appreciated works of art. Painted by Sandro Botticelli between 1482 and 1485, it has become a landmark of XV century Italian painting, so rich in meaning and allegorical references to antiquity.

http://www.uffizi.org/artworks/the-birth-of-venus-by-sandro-botticelli/

Raphael completed this work for the Villa Farnesina, a suburban Renaissance villa in Rome in 1512. The Farnesina was built by one of the richest men of the early Renaissance, Agostini Chigi, who was a banker. This was the only painting of Greek mythology that Raphael painted, the story of the Nereid Galatea, who had fallen in love with a peasant shepherd, Acis. Galatea’s consort, after finding the two lovers in an embrace, killed Acis by throwing a giant pillar at him. Although Raphael’s painting is based off of the story, it does not illustrate any of the actual events of the story. 

http://www.uffizi.org/artworks/the-birth-of-venus-by-sandro-botticelli/

Dante Inferno

Dante's Inferno, widely hailed as one of the great classics of Western literature, details Dante's journey through the nine circles of Hell. 
 in a mythical dark wood, the two poets begin their descent through a baleful world of doleful shades, horrifying tortures, and unending lamentation.

Dante’s Christian Hell features a large variety of mythological and ancient literary creatures, ranging from the Centaurs to Minos to Ulysses. He even incorporates mythological places, such as the rivers Acheron and Styx. In addition, Dante often refers to and imitates the styles of great classical writers such as Homer, Ovid, Lucan, and Virgil himself. He therefore attempts to situate himself within the tradition of classical epics while proving that he is a greater writer than any of the classical poets.

Dante incorporates this ancient material for other reasons too, including the simple fact that mythological elements contain much dramatic potential. More important, however, Dante includes mythological and classical literary elements in his poem to indicate that Christianity has subsumed these famous stories; by bringing many religious strands under one umbrella, Dante heightens the urgency and importance of his quest—a quest that he believes necessary for all human beings.

• Dante falls asleep and loses his way on the journey through life.
• He encounters the poet Virgil and the two begin a series of travels.
• Dante and Virgil go to Hell where they witness the many punishments for those who disobeyed God during their lives.

http://www.sparknotes.com/poetry/inferno/themes.html

http://www.enotes.com/topics/dantes-inferno

http://www.worldofdante.org/inferno1.html