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Titian (Tiziano Vecellio)
Diana and Callisto1556 - 1559On Display | NATIONAL GALLERY OF SCOTLAND
The pregnancy of Callisto, an attendant nymph of Diana, goddess of the moon, hunting and chastity, is cruelly revealed. Banished by Diana, Callisto was later transformed by Jupiter her seducer, into the constellation of the Great Bear. The powerful gestures and varied poses of Diana and her nymphs complement those in the composition of the companion painting Diana and Actaeon. These large so-called 'poesie' reveal Titian's mastery of the idealised human figure and of colour and light to convey contrasting textures. As late works, they also indicate the remarkable physical energy he expended using his fingers as much as his brushes to apply paint.
Glossary [3] Open
Composition
The arrangement of different elements in a work of art.
Idealisation
The representation of something as a model of perfection.
Poesie
A term, meaning 'poetry', used by Titian for paintings of mythological subjects derived from literary sources. He painted a series of these for King Philip II of Spain with subject matter taken from Ovid's Metamorphoses.
- Accession no. NGL 059.46
- Medium Oil on canvas
- Size 187.00 x 204.50 cm
- Credit Edinburgh, National Gallery of Scotland (Bridgewater Loan, 1945)
Titian (Tiziano Vecellio) (Italian (Venetian), about 1485/90 - 1576)
Titian made a greater impact on European painting than any other artist from Venice. His use of colour and development of a 'painterly' style of lively brush work has influenced generations of artists. He excelled in all types of painting, including altarpieces, religious subjects for private devotion, themes from classical mythology, allegorical works and portraits. The bright clear colours and smooth appearance of his early paintings are quite different from the more dramatic tonal contrasts and broken brushwork of his later work. He received public and private commissions from within Venice and from eminent patrons elsewhere. Titian painted many of his most celebrated pictures for King Philip II of Spain.
Glossary [5] Open
Allegory
Where the ‘story’ of a work has a deeper underlying meaning – often used for the representation of grand, abstract ideas.
Altarpiece
An artwork behind a church altar featuring religious scenes or imagery which was usually the focus for the celebration of the Mass.
Commission
When an individual or organisation employs an artist to execute a particular project, the process and the resulting work are termed a ‘commission’.
Mythological
Refers to figures and events from myths which are the ancient stories that usually explain the origins of historical or natural phenomena.
Patronage
The support given to artists by an individual or organisation, usually through buying or funding their work.