Dublin Core
Title
Portrait of Doge Leonardo Dona
Description
The Portrait of Doge Leonardo Dona was painted by Giovanni Bellini in 1501-02. Its current location is in the National Gallery, London. Initially, this painting was located in Venice, Italy, and was believed to be looted by Napoleon when he came through and took over the city. It was believed to be bought by William Thomas Beckford who then sold it to the National gallery. Ever since then it has remained at this location to date.
The Portrait of Doge Leonardo Dona fell in line with the Venetian tradition of painting formal portraits. While these portraits would be painted the officials would be wearing their robes of state. Leonardo was the 75th Doge until he died in 1501. This was an elected position to have that was kept for life.
In this Portrait of Doge Leonardo Dona, you see the aging effects on him immediately. You also see a lightly colored robe on him starting at his neck and going all the way down past his shoulders. You then look up and notice a gold headband that’s wrapped on top of a white cap. The colors used in the portrait hold a hidden meaning too. The bold use of gold and white represents wealth, prosperity, and goodness. The fine lines gave a formality effect on me as the viewer too.
I believe it was significant for this portrait to be painted due to the significance he carried in the city of Venice. While he was there the city became a big financial center making it super-wealthy. The appearance that was given off by the Doge in this portrait showed he was the alpha in this society. Overall I liked this painting and the features distributed in it.
The Portrait of Doge Leonardo Dona fell in line with the Venetian tradition of painting formal portraits. While these portraits would be painted the officials would be wearing their robes of state. Leonardo was the 75th Doge until he died in 1501. This was an elected position to have that was kept for life.
In this Portrait of Doge Leonardo Dona, you see the aging effects on him immediately. You also see a lightly colored robe on him starting at his neck and going all the way down past his shoulders. You then look up and notice a gold headband that’s wrapped on top of a white cap. The colors used in the portrait hold a hidden meaning too. The bold use of gold and white represents wealth, prosperity, and goodness. The fine lines gave a formality effect on me as the viewer too.
I believe it was significant for this portrait to be painted due to the significance he carried in the city of Venice. While he was there the city became a big financial center making it super-wealthy. The appearance that was given off by the Doge in this portrait showed he was the alpha in this society. Overall I liked this painting and the features distributed in it.
Creator
Giovanni Bellini
Source
“‘Portrait of Doge Leonardo Loredan’ by Giovanni Bellini,” August 12, 2020. https://joyofmuseums.com/museums/united-kingdom-museums/london-museums/the-national-gallery-london/masterpieces-of-the-national-gallery/portrait-of-doge-leonardo-loredan-by-giovanni-bellini/.
“Portrait of Doge Leonardo Loredan.” Accessed September 16, 2020. http://www.giovannibellini.org/portrait-of-doge-leonardo-loredan/.
Bätschmann, Oskar (2008). Giovanni Bellini. London, England: Reaktion Books. ISBN 978-1-86189-357-4.
Christiansen, Keith; Weppelmann, Stefan, eds. (2011). The Renaissance Portrait: From Donatello to Bellini. New York, New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art. ISBN 978-0-300-17591-2.
Brown, David Alan; Ferino-Pagden, Sylvia (2006). Bellini, Giorgione, Titian, and the Renaissance of Venetian Painting. New Haven, Connecticut: Yale University Press. ISBN 978-0-300-11677-9.
Gasparotto, Davide (2017). Giovanni Bellini: Landscapes of Faith in Renaissance Venice. Los Angeles, California: J. Paul Getty Museum. ISBN 978-1-60606-531-0.
Humfrey, Peter (1997). Painting in Renaissance Venice. New Haven, Connecticut: Yale University Press. ISBN 978-0-300-06715-6.
Nichols, Tom (1997). Titian: And the End of the Venetian Renaissance. Islington, London: Reaktion Books. ISBN 978-1-78023-227-0.
“Portrait of Doge Leonardo Loredan.” Accessed September 16, 2020. http://www.giovannibellini.org/portrait-of-doge-leonardo-loredan/.
Bätschmann, Oskar (2008). Giovanni Bellini. London, England: Reaktion Books. ISBN 978-1-86189-357-4.
Christiansen, Keith; Weppelmann, Stefan, eds. (2011). The Renaissance Portrait: From Donatello to Bellini. New York, New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art. ISBN 978-0-300-17591-2.
Brown, David Alan; Ferino-Pagden, Sylvia (2006). Bellini, Giorgione, Titian, and the Renaissance of Venetian Painting. New Haven, Connecticut: Yale University Press. ISBN 978-0-300-11677-9.
Gasparotto, Davide (2017). Giovanni Bellini: Landscapes of Faith in Renaissance Venice. Los Angeles, California: J. Paul Getty Museum. ISBN 978-1-60606-531-0.
Humfrey, Peter (1997). Painting in Renaissance Venice. New Haven, Connecticut: Yale University Press. ISBN 978-0-300-06715-6.
Nichols, Tom (1997). Titian: And the End of the Venetian Renaissance. Islington, London: Reaktion Books. ISBN 978-1-78023-227-0.
Date
1501-02
Contributor
Ryan Smith
Format
oil in poplar panel 61.6 cm x 45.1 cm
Type
Painting
Coverage
National Gallery, London