Immerse yourself in the dark tones and rich textures of the great Titian, considered by many to be the most important member of the Venetian High Renaissance. From the voluptuous sensuality of the Venus of Urbino to the aerial dynamism of Bacchus and Ariadne, Titian pioneered the use of rich, surprising colours and a bold eye for form, which he reflected in a wide repertoire of portraits, altarpieces, mythological paintings and more.

The Venetian virtuoso

Titian, the Renaissance master of form and colour

Immerse yourself in the dark tones and rich textures of Titian Vecellio (c. 1490-1576), known simply as Titian, the leading figure in 16th-century Venetian painting. With his bold approach to form and astonishingly opulent colours, Titian received numerous prestigious commissions and left behind an incredible repertoire of portraits, mythological paintings, altarpieces and landscapes that form the most important legacy of Renaissance art.
This rigorous introduction reviews Titian's entire career and his influence as a forerunner of several generations of artists, from Diego Velázquez to Van Dyck. From the voluptuous sensuality of the Venus of Urbino (c. 1538) to the aerial dynamism of Bacchus and Ariadne (1520-1523), the major works are included here, showing the artist's stylistic experimentation over time and his consistent and unique ability to work across genres and bring a new level of emotional and spiritual aspect to his subjects.

About the author

Ian G. Kennedy studied art history at Cambridge and at the Courtauld Institute, University of London. He worked for nearly three decades at Christie's in New York and as curator of the European Paintings Room at the Nelson-Atkins Museum in Kansas City, Missouri (USA). He currently lives and works as an independent researcher in Chapel Hill (North Carolina, USA).

Publisher: Taschen