Titian Trivia Quiz

Answer: Sebastiano Zuccato

When he was nine years old, he was sent to Venice to study under Sebastiano Zuccato. He worked hard and learned much from Zuccato, but he felt his mentor did not appreciate him. When Vecellio was seventeen years old, he made a decision to leave Zuccato's workshop and went to study with the Bellini Brothers.

During his time with Genitile and Giovanni Bellini, he learned the method of oil painting on a canvas medium.

Although he admired his mentors' Venetian Quatrocento style, he soon became fixated on the dreamlike works of Giorgione.

It did not take Vecellio long to leave the Bellini brothers, and start his tutelage under Giorgione.

In 1508, while studying under Giorgione, his earliest work consisted of aiding his teacher in exterior frescoes for the Fondaco dei Tedeschi (The German Exchange).

His work with the frescoes clearly showed the influence of the Bellinis and Giorgione, however it is most noticeable that his own creative energy blossomed with such a distinct style, which would set him apart from all of the other painters of his time.

So sumptuous were the colors that he chose, along with a great and faithful attachment to realism, that each painting he created contained such sensual and powerful emotion, that it brought to those around him the aspects of either joyous or troublesome sensations.

Answer: Sacred and Profane Love

With his first solo creation, it is apparent that Titian greatly admired Giorgione's talents as an artist, but one
can notice differences between teacher and student. The background of the painting shows that Titian remained true to his teacher's work, but the differences are clearly shown in his realistic and feminine
approach to female figures; which is something that Giorgione's work lacked.

Titian expounded on the flesh of the Sacred Love, creating her as being extremely sensual. While the clothing that is used to showcase Worldly Love, also known as Profane Love, clearly shows that he knew exactly how to contrast texture and fabric against a flesh style setting.

The two female figures in Sacred and Profane Love clearly highlight his concern with the new concepts of
The Renaissance era, which surrounded the topic of love. With this painting, one can see the change of thought between saintly and carnal pleasures. Historians clearly believe that the presence of Cupid situated between the two females confirms his symbolic meaning.

Answer: The Fall and Expulsion from Garden of Eden

In his fresco, The Jealous Husband, in which a man is seen murdering his wife, Titian is believed to have used Michelangelo's Eve, from his Sistine Chapel Fresco The Fall and Expulsion from Garden of Eden, as inspiration for the creation of the woman that is murdered by her jealous husband.

Although Titian was a great admirer of Michelangelo's work, the two did not have a chance to meet until Titian spent eight months in Rome in 1545.

Answer: The death of Giovanni Bellini

Upon the death of Giovanni Bellini, Titian was named Chief Painter of the Republic of Venice in 1516, a title that he accepted and reveled in wholeheartedly. Fellow Venetians began to seek him out as well as many princes throughout Italy and all of Europe.

Although he had been asked by Pope Leo X to visit Rome in 1513, he declined the offer.

His decision not to visit Rome when the offer was extended was considered one of the most momentous occasions in his life.

Answer: Giovanni Bellini created it

After Bellini's death, Titian was commissioned to created a series of mythological paintings by Alfonso d'Este; however, he did not have to paint The Feast of The Gods, because Giovanni had already created that particular painting in 1514, but never had the opportunity to add the finishing touches to this painting. Titian was called up to create additional paintings to match Bellini's, and it was he who added the final details to the painting. Because his work and Bellini's are thought to be similar in some aspects, it has been believed that Titian did all three.

The only paintings in the series to be created from start to finish by Titian are Bacchanal of the Andrians, which can be seen on display at Prado in Madrid, and Bacchus and Ariadne, which can be seen on display at the National Gallery in London.

Anyone who has had a chance to view Titian's two paintings in the mythological series, will see first hand that he has taken these mythological subjects and set them free from the calm manner that they had once been bound to, and filled them with spirit and life.

The life-like presence of his painting method was founded by Giorgione. Titian did what most artists never imagined could be possible, instead of making preliminary sketches and filling it in as he went along, he brushed the paint directly onto the canvas and built it up in layers, which is known as the alla prima method.

Also, seen in his two paintings is the talent and ability he had in capturing different facial expressions of his subjects, which clearly shows that his individual subjects had a personality all their own.

Answer: His wife Cecilia died

In 1525, Titian married Cecilia, and had two sons, Pomponio and Orazio, and a daughter Lavinia with the love of his life. Cecilia admired and respected her husband's bountiful blessings in the art world, and encouraged him to try different things creation wise. So when his beloved wife passed away in 1530, it is no wonder that he became forlorn and sullen. Needing and wanting to get back to painting, Titian threw himself completely in a new creative direction, and became more restrained and meditative in his work.

The change him in was very noticeable, as he started to use related colors rather than use the contrasting colors which he had become known for. During this time, he used pale color shades, rather than red and blues that he had used in his earlier work.

The people around him also noticed that his style and flair became less adventurous, and resembled his earlier pieces.

He continued with his new way of painting, until he met Michelangelo in 1545, and was criticized by the great painter. Michelangelo told him "that he was not paying enough attention to the detail in his painting." It appears that is what Titian needed, because almost overnight his painting style returned back to the way it had been before his wife passed away.

The direct quote can be found at http://campus.belmont.edu/students/chandler/bio.html.

Answer: False

During the setting of the painting, Titian accidentally dropped his paint brush and was surprised and amazed that the Emperor stooped down to pick it up for him! Emperor Charles V was very impressed with the painting and bestowed upon Titian the title of Court Painter, and elevated his rank status to Count Palatine and Knight of the Golden Spur, which was seldom bestowed upon anyone, much less an artist.

Answer: Yes

Sleeping Venus, Bacchus and Ariadne, Worship of Venus, The Judgment of Paris, The Rape of Europa, Diana and Actaeon, and Diana and Callisto, have one thing in common; they showcase the beauty of female figures in the nude.

Titian's paintings of sensual nude women in erotic poses was considered symbolic by nineteenth century art historians.

Some modern day authorties of his work strongly believe that he began creating these types of paintings, which are sometimes referred to as bedroom paintings, because they were in high demand.

This enabled him to determine the fee in which he was to receive for creating these magnificent paintings.

Answer: True

According to historians, of all the paintings that Titian created, the Crowning with Thorns is considered to be truly proto-Baroque because of the appearance that the picture area extends beyond what is being viewed. As with everything that he created, color and of course lighting were very crucial to the emotional impact of his works.

Answer: Palma il Giovane

Although Francesco (his brother), Orazio (his son), and Cesare (his cousin) assisted him in his workshop and studios, it fell to his pupil Palma il Giovane to complete his mentor's Pietá.

Titian's last creation can be seen on display at Accademia Museum in Venice.

All information about Titian came from "The Art Encyclopedia," printed in 2001.
http://www.artsworld.com/artsworld-club/index.html
http://www.historyhouse.com%2Fin_history%2Ftitian%2F
http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/titian/
http://www.boglewood.com/cornaro/xtitian.html

Thank you for taking my quiz and I hope that you enjoyed it.

This quiz was also created for a very special person, who admires Titian's color schemes.