Titian or Tiziano Vercelli was probably one of the most famous artists of his time and was certainly an important member of the Florentine school of art which flourished in the 16th century. Vasari seems to have an excellent opinion of Titian, and he describes him as being incredibly prolific and full of artistic prowess especially in his great works. He also mentions the earlier parts of his life where he began painting at the age of 10. Titian’s artistic imagination is perhaps what sets him apart from other artists since he was certainly very innovative and highly ingenious especially in his application of oil painting as well as the development of the figures that made up his vast canvases. One particular characteristic which was different from other artists was that Titian would first set out his ideas on paper so in a way he invented the artist ‘brief’ so to speak since this approach to an artistic commission was certainly not very much in use in those times.
Titian was an accomplished fresco artist, so Vasari is very much impressed by this style. He describes Titian’s abandonment of the ideas of Gian Bellini and his movement to those of Giorgione, who was at the time considered as one of the greatest fresco artists of all time. However, Vasari recounts how Titian excelled and superseded his mentor with his own works which were composed when he was still 18 years old, which was quite an outstanding achievement for such a young man. Vasari is also positive about Titian’s accomplishments in the painting of large religious murals in important churches, and he is also extremely positive about their reception from their patrons with Titian at the time considered one of the greatest of fresco artists of his age. In fact, the author also mentions the portrait of the Barberigo family and describes the subject as ‘having his hairs almost standing out of his head’ when describing Titian’s incredible ability to create an almost exact likeness through his art. Perhaps the greatest work ever produced by Titian and which is analysed in great detail by Vasari is the wood engraving with the title, ‘Triumph of Faith’. Vasari describes a large number of figures from the Bible such as the Patriarchs, Prophets, Martyrs and Innocents as well as Jesus Christ born in a triumphant manner. This magnificent work demonstrates Titian at the height of his powers. This great work brings together all the styles and techniques for which Titian has remained famous, the fastidious attention to detail and the unique capacity to create figures of vast design with unerring accuracy. Vasari compares Titian’s work to that of Michelangelo and Raffaele especially in the use of colouring, which he describes as quite stupendous as well as the design which in the author’s opinion was equal to the Urbino school. Vasari also describes this work by Titian as ‘one of the finest imitations of nature’ and as such demonstrative of the artist’s supreme powers.
Vasari also mentions other works by Titian, which are important such as ‘The Judgement of Solomon’ which was painted for the church in Vicenza, as well as other frescoes in the Church of St Anthony at Padova. Vasari also mentions some works that were completed by Titian such as Bellini’s work in the Church of Santo Spirito also in Padova where he changed several aspects of the fresco depicting the emperor Frederick Barbarossa. Vasari also hints at Titian’s astute business sense where he managed to ingratiate himself to the Senate of the town and where he lobbied to receive an allowance of three hundred crowns a year.
Works Cited:
Vasari G; Lives of the Artists – Entry on Titian. Retrieved from: http://members.efn.org/~acd/vite/VasariTitian1.html
URL for Triumph of Faith: http://www.heritage-images.com/Preview/PreviewPage.aspx?id=1630459&pricing=true&licenseType=RM
