Who is Titian?
Titian was an Italian Renaissance painter, widely considered to be among the most accomplished of European painters. During his long lifetime, which spanned almost 100 years, Titian produced a massive body of work marked by complex themes, stunning use of color, and accomplished painting skills. Many art historians have noted that his work matured and changed radically over the course of his lifetime, perhaps because by the time he died, he had been painting for approximately 80 years. The exact birth date of Titian is a disputed topic, because he often made misleading comments about his age and birthday. It has been estimated to be around 1490, and possibly earlier. He was born Tiziano Vecelli in Cadore, a small Italian village which was later incorporated into his nickname, Da Cadore, meaning “of Cadore.” At a relatively young age, Titian was sent to Venice to study with a painter, along with his brother. The young painter soon showed incredible skill, and he quickly found himself co