While Titian, an Italian-born painter of the 16th century, was no master sculptor or architect like the infamous Michelangelo, nor was he renowned for his scientific and inventor skills as was Leonardo, but he is known as the Shakespeare of painting.
Titian was well known in the High Renaissance art era as the ‘man of colour’ and so was aptly named the ‘Venetian Master of Colour’.
Colors add right mood, temperature, and structure to your work. To a sensitive soul, the impact of a perfect color combination is deeper and intensely moving
The magic he produced with paint and colour was a wonder to be reckoned with. He was most definitely not shy of colour and used it to bring his characters to life in a most brilliant and astonishing manner. And his love of colour never faded throughout his long life.
His command of the brush was phenomenal and he told stories through his masterpieces, mythological stories, based on, well, myths and legends from days gone by.
While most artists focus on one or another, Titian was a pro in both landscapes and portraits. His fame was not only following his death, like most great artists of that time, but also whilst he was alive. This spoke volumes for his profound skill.
Titian Paintings – Color, Life and Lustre
Bacchus and Ariadne, one of his most famous paintings, tells the story of Ariadne, daughter of King Menos of Crete, who had subsequently been left on an island by her lover Theseus. Bacchus, god of the grape harvest finds her, leading a band of merrymakers with cheetahs pulling her in a chariot. In his wisdom, he flies down and attempts to save her from possible death.
The scene, at first glance, seems somewhat chaotic, but if you look closely, you will see some defining areas that tell the story clearly.
Bacchus and Ariadne are separated from the group of revellers and brought into focus with the blue of the sky behind them. While Bacchus is still partially pinned close to his companions, you can see his heart wishes to be with Ariadne. Later, we learn that he marries her and gives her immortality.
Another iconic piece from Titian is ‘Venus and Adonis’, a tale of desperate longing. Adonis is pictured leaving Venus, with his dogs, whilst she fiercely clings to him, trying to make him stay. Some say the call for the hunt mimics the everyday pull and responsibilities that force most men to leave their families behind
As with all his paintings, but especially with Venus and Adonis, Titian brings brightness and lustre in a myriad of colours. The story is told perfectly through the lines and curves. In contrast, the ominous clouds creeping in from the right seal in Venus’s plight in a magnificent and brilliant contrast.
Without words or song, Titian was able to communicate the many agonizing and exhilarating emotions of humans through this art. Whether it was comedy, anger, tragedy or sadness, Titian could splash some paint across a canvas and bring all these brutally into the light.
Titian was a true writer on canvas, a true Shakespeare of art.
Besides being able to portray various emotions so clearly in his works; and many saw him as a master of human psychology, he had the uncanny ability to bring about an accurate likeness of many famous people. Pope Paul the third was one of his first and he didn’t only paint him once. Charles the fifth was another royalty he painted in almost photographic quality.
Titian was commissioned many times to paint and this is where he found his love of mythology. A true genius of his time, Titian painted until his death in 1576, where it was believed he died of the plague.
He will forever be remembered as the Venetian Master of Colour and an iconic part of art history.