Titian (c. 1487/90-1576) c.1730-50
Oil on canvas | 64.1 x 50.4 cm (support, canvas/panel/stretcher external) | RCIN 402946
![Titian (c. 1487/90-1576) Titian (c. 1487/90-1576)](https://col.rct.uk/sites/default/files/styles/rctr-scale-1300-500/public/collection-online/0/0/618522-1468571864.jpg?itok=QZ7PIjIg)
Giuseppe Nogari (Venice 1699-Venice 1763)
Titian (c. 1487/90-1576) c.1730-50
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This is one of a series of six identically sized portraits of famous artists, executed by the Venetian artist Giuseppe Nogari in the early eighteenth century. The series was acquired by George III in 1762 as part of the collection of Joseph Smith, British Consul in Venice. Smith was a distinguished collector and connoisseur as well as a patron of contemporary artists, in particular of Canaletto. It is likely that the selection of artists (which also includes Veronese, Bassano, Cignani, Rubens and Van Dyck) was governed by the works in Smith's own collection rather than simply the relative renown of the sitters. Collecting images of famous artists had become commonplace by the early eighteenth century and artists' portraits appeared in many of the greatest art collections in Europe.
This portrait shows Titian in old age wearing a plain cap and a fur-trimmed coat. It is based on Titian's signed but unfinished self-portrait in Berlin, showing the artist wearing the two golden chains (although only one is visible in Nogari's version) given to him by Emperor Charles V. This portrait type can also be seen in the triple portrait of Titian and his Friends (RCIN 402841), in which the artist appears on the far left.
Text adapted from Portrait of the Artist, London, 2016Provenance
Acquired in 1762 by George III from Joseph Smith, British Consul in Venice (Italian List no 330); recorded in the Music Room at Kew in 1805 (no 12)
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Medium and techniques
Oil on canvas
Measurements
64.1 x 50.4 cm (support, canvas/panel/stretcher external)
76.4 x 62.5 x 3.7 cm (frame, external)
Category
Object type(s)