Venus and Adonis

Titian

Venus and Adonis
c.1560
National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.
Photographed by Team C004570
Tiziano Vicellio, better known as Titian, was thought to be the greatest artist to emerge from the Venetian School. He was born in Pieve di Cadore around 1487, and began his training as an artist under Gentile Bellini, and the Renaissance great, Giovanni Bellini. When Bellini died in 1516, Titian succeeded him as Painter to the Republic.

Although Bellini had a large effect on his earlier work, Titian was highly influenced by Giorgione, and adopted many aspects of his style, mainly his balance in composition. Giorgone's influence led to a number of Titian's own innovations. His painting, Assumption, marked the beginning of the High Renaissance.

He became Court Painter to Emperor Charles V in 1533. He had a close relationship with the emperor, much like Velázquez did, but during Titian's time, such things were unheard of.

Titian had a profound affect on the course of art involving figures and portraits. He changed the meaning of an official portrait. Whereas painters painted authority figures with personality, using their face to express personality, and idealized them. Titian chose to give them nothing more than they deserved. Impersonality, lack of facial expression, those were common in Titian's portraits, and were adopted by Rubens, and many others.

His later styles almost foreshadowed Impressionism. There was lack of definition in lines and blotchy colors which led people to think that he was being careless. However, he was known to be one of the most detailed artists in history. He puts on layer upon layer of paint, changing it over courses of months, never fully achieving his definition of perfection. He died in Venice on August 27, 1576 having produced some of the greatest paintings and frescos in history.

©2000 Team C004570