TITIAN

(ca. 1477 or 1487-1576)

"There are families of plants, some species are so close together that the similarity is greater than the difference: these are the artists of Venice, not only the four famous - Giorgione, Titian, Tintoretto, Veronese, and other, lesser-known . . . What strikes the eye - is a basic and common type, private and personal traits are the first time in the shade. They worked together and turn in the Doge′s Palace, but, due to involuntary consonance of their talents, their entire painting forms one whole . . . "

So wrote the French historian and philosopher of art Hippolyte Taine. Of these, we will provide them the names of the most famous and prolific, do not lose the creative powers to a ripe old age and live longer, and perhaps the most fortunate of all the artists of that era, and perhaps all subsequent ones.

Born in the village of Pieve di Cadore, Vechellis Titian in his youth he moved to Venice. Here he mastered the art of the painter, and remained until the end of his long life, and went abroad for a while. About him Hippolyte Taine, spoke eloquently, referring to the color on the opinion of one of Titian′s contemporaries: "When you try to imagine Titian - you see a happy man," very happy and prosperous, has ever been between him like, received from the sky only some mercy and good luck, "the first among all their competitors, who took them at home the French and Polish kings, the emperor′s favorite, the Spanish King Philip II, the Doges, Pope Paul III and all the Italian princes, elevated to the rank of knight and Count of the Empire, buried with orders, widely paid, receiving a pension and skillfully uses her own happiness.

Photo — «Titian»

He keeps a house on a grand scale, richly dressed, invites to his table cardinals, princes, the greatest living artists and gifted scientists of his time. "Although he has not received special education, he was at his place in this high society because he had natural intelligence, and the court life has taught him all the best qualities of the gentleman and man of the world, and so well that he found very agreeable, having a pleasant courtesy and the most elegant manners and methods of communication. " In his character there is nothing extreme and rebellious. His letters to the emperor and the ministers about their paintings and pensions that are humble in nature, which was then considered a knowledge of the propriety of the subject. He is ably suited to the people and skilful approach to life - I want to say that he enjoys life as human beings, without extravagance and without meanness . . . His correspondence with Aretino shows it jolly fellow, who eats and drinks eagerly and exquisite, who loves music, a beautiful luxury and society women of easy virtue. Buynost alien to him, he was not concerned by the immeasurable and painful ideas, his art is healthy, free from the painful and burdensome complexity of searching, he wrote constantly, without stress and without impulses, throughout his life.

Photo — «Titian»

He began as a child, and his hand itself obeys his genius. He said that "his talent - it′s a special grace of heaven," that we must have the gift to be a good artist, that, if not, you can create only ugly creation, that in this art, genius should not be outraged. " Around him the beauty, taste, education, talent close to return to him, like a mirror, a reflection of his genius. "

It is difficult to judge how true this characterization of the great artist. Almost certainly were in his times of hardship, spiritual experiences, doubt. In part this can be guessed by some of his works. But in general, perhaps, he strove for emotional balance and found solace and delight in creativity.

His first paintings were poetic and cheerful, reflecting the name of one of them "love of earth and heaven" (perhaps, in those years the artist preferred the first of them).

Great success with art connoisseurs, in particular the beautiful naked female body, had his "poetry". So he called the paintings on mythological themes, which bought him the Duke of Ferrara and predominantly Spanish King Philip II. There Titian allegorical figures (such as - "Spain comes to the aid of religion"), but perhaps the most remarkable number of portraits made by him with a rare skill that can transmit not only the outward appearance, but the nature of the character.

Photo — «Titian»

Titian′s paintings - a characteristic feature of the Venetian school - a large role environment and landscape, the forces of nature, expressing not so much poetry in itself, as its compliance with human feelings. In his "Danae" (1554), naked beauty is in voluptuous languor, fingering the folds of sheets, and lusting for her, Zeus (not his face I guess in the lumen of the clouds?) Throws in her bosom a golden rain.

After 20 years, he created the painting "Christ on the cross. " It produces a strange impression. Landscape, against which Jesus is lifted up, reveals medieval Italy, and not Judah, the night sky gray-brown, dark lit body of the crucified Christ, the two celestial flare at hand, like two wings of light, light-colored strip on the horizon. Near the cross is empty. Like vain suffering of Jesus and his sacrifice, was not on Earth from this bright and beautiful, people do not become cleaner and nicer.

Even great perfect technique and continued success is not deprived of Titian′s propensity to search and innovation. Even in later years, he changes the style of writing, uses bold strokes, the game of light and shadow, sometimes refuses clearly written out of the landscape, bringing the background to the abstract background.

Photo — «Titian»

This is partly reflected in the above picture, but more obvious in the other - "Saint Sebastian". Perhaps in his old age the artist began to lose optimism and joie de vivre, which is quite natural. Surprisingly another: how could he in the turbulent years for the country to maintain domestic tranquility and insatiable thirst for creativity.