Titian

Painter of the mightiest rulers

Titian (actually Tiziano Vecellio) is probably born between 1488 and 1490 near Pieve di Cadore in the Republic of Venice. He is recognised as the most important representative of 16th century Venetian painting.

He comes to Venice at the age of 9, trains with the Bellini brothers and opens his own workshop in San Samuele in 1513. He is soon sought after throughout Europe, working for the most powerful rulers of his time – both Emperor Charles V and his son Philip II have their portrait painted by Titian. By the time he dies in 1576 he is the definitive master of the Italian High Renaissance.

Three of the Titian Danaes are almost certainly painted by him personally. The first is created in 1544 for Cardinal Alessandro Farnese and today hangs in the Museo Capodimonte in Naples. The second, now in the Prado in Madrid, is created for Philip II of Spain. Emperor Charles V’s abdication makes Philip the most powerful monarch in the world and from 1548 Titian works almost exclusively as his court painter. Between 1552 and 1562 he paints 10 large format works, of which 6 are myths and include Danae. The third and latest version is at the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna and is a variation on that of Madrid. The commissioner is unknown.