Why do very few of Botticelli's mythical paintings exist?

Answer 1

Before Botticelli's time paintings had religious subjects or were portraits. That is what people commissioned from artists. The interesting thing is NOT that there are FEW mythological paintings, but that there were some commissions for mythological subjects. And from then on those subjects grew more popular.

It was not like today: an artist paints what he likes and tries to sell it. In renaissance times you went to an artist and asked him to paint what you want.

Also, a radical monk named Savanarola burned 'earthly pleasures' including some of Botticelli's work. For more information on Savanarola's influence, I'd go to the link below.

Answer 2

Savanarola burned anything that he viewed as 'earthly pleasures', in 'bonfires of the vanities'. These bonfires burned some of Botticelli's works, which is why there is such a small number after his LONG career. Some say Botticelli followed Savanarola, and that is why he stopped making Mythological paintings. Others says the threat of Savanarola burning Mythological paintings was enough to make him stop. Either way, he stopped with the Mythological themes, and reverted back to his religious work. But this work wasn't very popular.

Due to the fact that most of Botticelli's mythological paintings were given to powerful families(such as the Medicis), they were protected from Savanarola's wrath.