Differential diagnosis of a thyroid mass, facial malar rash and ptosis on the flora in the primavera by Sandro Botticelli (1445–1510)

Abstract

Purpose: The Primavera is considered amongst the greatest and controversial artistic masterpieces worldwide painted by renaissance artist Sandro Botticelli. The aim was to identify any underlying medical foundations for the painting. Methods: Observational study. Results: The painting reveals, a ‘butterfly’ malar rash, bilateral ptosis and a clear neck swelling consistent with a goitre in the figure of Flora. This could be explained by concomitant Graves’ disease and systemic lupus erythematosus, or other presentations of multiple autoimmune syndrome. Conclusion: These findings highlight the likely presentation of the earliest pictorial depictions of thyroid disease with systemic lupus erythematosus and emphasize the exactitude of depiction demonstrated by Botticelli in renaissance era.