Feast of the Gods
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Description
This work was originally created by Giovanni Bellini, but had later additions by Titian, and the Duke of Ferrara's artist Dosso Dossi [1]. Bellini was one of the great painters of the 15th century, and this was his last large painting.
This painting's subject is slightly ambiguous, as not all of the figures depicted may be fully identified [2]. There are 17 different gods and goddesses shown, with Bacchus seen on the left with his barrel of wine and Jupiter with his eagle in the center. This painting does have a mythological subject, which was more unusual for Bellini. During his career, he mostly created religious works and portraits [1], while paintings with a mythological subject matter were more common for Titian, an apprentice of Bellini. Bellini finished his part of this work in 1514, but two years after his death Titian seems to have painted over parts of the painting. The figures are mostly the same, but the background was repainted by Dossi before being painted again by Titian [3].
Both Bellini and Titian were famous for the use of color in their paintings, and this one is no exception. Lots of the figures in the painting are clothed in rich and bright colors. The colors in the sky and trees are much darker, putting the focus on the figures and creating contrast. There is some debate that this work may be in reference to the Duke of Ferrara’s wedding or the months of the year [2], but I believe it could also just be the depiction of a mythological scene on its own, as we have seen with many other works such as Bacchus and Ariadne. However, one of the figures does hold a quince, which is a symbol of marriage, [2] so this could also be a plausible subject.
Bellini and Titian were two great artists of their respective centuries, with Bellini celebrated more in the 15th centure and Titian in the 16th. This collaboration shows elements they shared, mostly seen in the incredible use of color that both artists are known for.
[1] “National Gallery of Art Bellini, Titian, The Feast of the Gods, 1514/1529.” Bellini, Titian, The Feast of the Gods, 1514/1529. Accessed October 28, 2020. https://www.nga.gov/collection/highlights/bellini-titian-the-feast-of-the-gods.html.
[2] Nalezyty, Susan. “Giovanni Bellini and Titian, The Feast of the Gods (Article).” Khan Academy. Khan Academy. Accessed October 28, 2020. https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/renaissance-reformation/early-renaissance1/venice-early-ren/a/bellini-titian-feast-of-the-gods.
[3] Colantuono, Anthony. "Dies Alcyoniae: The Invention of Bellini's Feast of the Gods." The Art Bulletin 73, no. 2 (1991): 237-56. Accessed October 28, 2020. doi:10.2307/3045792.
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Source
“National Gallery of Art Bellini, Titian, The Feast of the Gods, 1514/1529.” Bellini, Titian, The Feast of the Gods, 1514/1529. Accessed October 28, 2020. https://www.nga.gov/collection/highlights/bellini-titian-the-feast-of-the-gods.html.
Nalezyty, Susan. “Giovanni Bellini and Titian, The Feast of the Gods (Article).” Khan Academy. Khan Academy. Accessed October 28, 2020. https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/renaissance-reformation/early-renaissance1/venice-early-ren/a/bellini-titian-feast-of-the-gods.
Colantuono, Anthony. "Dies Alcyoniae: The Invention of Bellini's Feast of the Gods." The Art Bulletin 73, no. 2 (1991): 237-56. Accessed October 28, 2020. doi:10.2307/3045792.
Giovanni Bellini and Titian, Italian. 1514/1529. The Feast of the Gods. Painting. Place: The National Gallery of Art (Washington, D.C.), Widener Collection. https://library-artstor-org.proxy.lib.duke.edu/asset/ANGAIG_10313966996.
Publisher
Giovanni Bellini and Titian, Italian. 1514/1529. The Feast of the Gods. Painting. Place: The National Gallery of Art (Washington, D.C.), Widener Collection. https://library-artstor-org.proxy.lib.duke.edu/asset/ANGAIG_10313966996.
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