Best-Known Artworks by Titian

Italian artist Tiziano Vecellio was simply known as Titian. He was one of the masters of the Renaissance and a prominent member of the Venetian School.

A Man With Quilted Sleeve is the first portrait ever done by Titian. It depicts an unidentified man sitting in a position that later would be used often by Titian. This painting influenced Baroque artist Rembrandt to create two self-portraits of himself in this position.

Assumption of the Virgin is a large altarpiece that Titian was commissioned to create. It remains in the position it was designed for, on the high altar of the Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari in Venice.In this artwork the figures are in three zones. On the ground are the Apostles; in the center is the Virgin Mary standing on clouds in a red robe and blue mantle. Around her are throngs of angels, and above is God the Father, who is about to be handed a crown for Mary by the angel to the right.

Bacchus and Aridane also depicts a scene from mythology. The oil painting is among a cycle of paintings on mythological subjects. Ariadne has been left on the island of Naxos, deserted by her lover, Theseus, whose ship sails away to the far left. She is discovered on the shore by the god Bacchus leading a procession of revelers in a chariot drawn by two cheetahs. Bacchus is depicted leaping out of the chariot, taking her with him. In the sky above the figure of Ariadne is the star constellation Corona Borealis, the Northern Crown.

Diana and Actaeon is a painting that was created for King Philip II of Spain. At this time Titian was working as a court painter and portraitist. He created a series of seven paintings known as “poesie,” mythological paintings. In the painting, Diana and Actaeon, the scene depicted is when Actaeon comes into the room where the goddess Diana and her nymphs are bathing.

Diana and Callisto is a painting that depicts a rather awkward moment in which Diana finds something about Jupiter and her maid, Callisto. (pictured above) Jupiter was the ultimate deity in ancient Rome, as he was considered to be the king of all gods. This notion makes it extremely weird for the goddess Diana when she realizes that one of her maids became pregnant by him.

Equestrian Portrait of Charles V was created by Titian when he worked for the Habsburg court. It was commissioned by Charles V to commemorate his victory in the Battle of Muhlberg against Protestant armies. Charles V is depicted in full armor upon the horse.

Pesaro Madonna was commissioned by Jacopo Pesaro, whose family purchased the chapel in the Basilica of Venice. Jacopo Pesaro was depicted by Titian in a humble kneeling position, and that’s because he is being presented to the Virgin Mary by none other than Saint Peter. The keys of heaven, or “Saint Peter’s Key,” can be seen on the steps, which presumably lead to the heavens above.

The Rape of Europa is a painting that depicts the mythological story of the abduction of Europa by Zeus, who came to her in the form of a bull. Per the story, the bull brings Europa to Crete, where he reveals his true identity. This painting was one of the so-called “poesie” that Titian produced for the Spanish king during the 1550s and 1560s.

Sacred and Profane Love is one of the first commissions of Titian. It supposedly was created to celebrate the marriage of a Venetian secretary named Niccolo Aurelio to a young woman named Laura Bagarotto. The Coat of Arms of Venice can be seen on the fountain in the center of the painting.

Venus of Urbino was created as an oil on canvas. The painting depicts a nude woman lying down on a couch. She is often associated with the Roman goddess Venus.