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Tiziano Vecellio (Titian)

c. 1488-1576 Italy-High Rennaisance

Brief Biography-Tiziano Vecelli Cavaliére, called Titian, is currently listed as born in c. 1488; however, according to Giorgio Vasari and Joachim von Sandrart, He was born in the castle of Cador in Friuli, a province of Venice. When he was ten years of age, he was in the care of an uncle in Venice who soon discovered he had a talent for painting. He enlisted him in the school of Giovanni Bellini for instruction.
His works were in the style of his master, whom he studied under for ten years until he became exposed to the practices of Giorgio Barbarelli da Castelfranco Giorgione. He found the manner of Giorgione less inhibited and more graceful than that of Bellini. Giorgione so profoundly influenced him that his connection with Bellini ended forever. There was a suspicion that Bellini was jealous of Titian’s subsequent success.
Titian quickly became a highly respected artist and was employed continuously in Venice; however, his finances never reflected the fact. Events changed when Emperor Charles the Fifth became aware of his work; he afforded him bounties and allotted him a pension before conferring a Knighthood.
The nobility was always eager to procure his works, and he was invited to Rome to paint a portrait of the Pope. While at the Pope’s palace of Belvidere, he received a visit from Michelangelo and Vasari, who praised the painting exceedingly.
His historical works are not of supreme quality, as were his portraits and landscapes; however, some aspects of his work are deemed superior to some elements of Giorgione’s work. One of his students was Tintoretto.