Important Definitions:
"Man with a Blue Sleeve" by Titian
Titian's "Man with a Blue Sleeve " is a magnificent work of art. Titian does such a good job in this portraiture, that one could compare its excellence to that of the magnitude of the "Mona Lisa" by Leonardo Da Vinci. In Titian's portrayal of this Renaissance man, Titian presents him with a pleasant look, as if he is almost smiling. His expression is serene and pensive. His eyes glance calmly to his right, directly at the painter or the viewer of the painting. He appears to be of a somewhat straightforward character; his eyes seem to say, what you see is primarily what you get. However, there is also something in his eyes that reveal a confident look, a wayworldliness in business; a look as if he has had experience in the world and he will let no merchant shortchange him. No matter what the viewer concludes from admiring this outstanding oil painting; the fact remains that Titian is a talented artist whose use of colors and his mode of artistic expression convey more than an ordinary portrait. Titian conveys character and a sense of realism.
Titian's "Man with a Blue Sleeve " was painted in 1512 A.D.; the medium was oil on canvas; and it is housed at the National Gallery in London (Gill, 1989). Noone is sure of the identity of the "Man with a Blue Sleeve", but some thought he was the poet Ludovico Ariosto (Gill, 1989). Others thought that it might have been a portrait of Titian himself (Gill, 1989). The predominant color, blue, creates a "cool, restrained climate" (Gill, 1989). The softness of the puffy sleeve, contrasts with the hard, flat, wooden surface that his arm is resting on (Gill, 1989). There also is a contrast in the intertwined presence of the "intimate and detached" in the sitter's persona (Gill, 1989).
Chiaroscuro. Chiaroscuro is an artistic technique wherein a strong contrast between light and dark is utilized. |
Georgione influence. Titian's Venetian portrait paintings were influenced by the artist Georgione (1477-1510 A.D.), who possibly was influenced himself by Leonardo Da Vinci, wherein Georgione used blurred, softened edges in some areas, and he sometimes used the twist of a body (contraposto) (Gill, 1989) and (Kaminski, 2000). |
Sfumato. Sfumato is a style used by Leonardo Da Vinci to convey a smoky appearance where there are soft transitions and haziness in outlines and colors. |
Renaissance. The word Renaissance means "rebirth". It is a term used for the art of the 15th and 16th centuries. The Renaissance was a time of the rebirth of the intellect and a blossoming of the arts. The center of the intellectual and cultural rebirth of the 15th century was Florence, Italy. However, Venice, Italy was also alive with many very talented artists during the Renaissance. |
References:
Bartz, G. & Konig, E. (2001). Art & Architecture: The Louvre. Oldenburg: Konemann.
Gill, I. (1989). The History and Techniques of the Great Masters. London: Tiger Books International Ltd.
Honour, H. & Fleming, J. (2002). A World History of Art. London: Laurence King Publishing Ltd.
Kaminski, M. (2000). Art & Architecture: Venice. Oldenburg: Konemann.
Kleiner, F., Mamiya, C. & Tansey, R. ( 2001). Gardner's Art Through the Ages, Vol. II. N.Y.: Harcourt College Publishers.
Krausse, Anna C. (1995). The Story of Painting From the Renaissance to the Present. Hong Kong: Konemann.
Wirtz, Rolf C. (2000). Art and Architecture: Florence. Oldenburg: Konemann.
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