Browse Items (177 total)

Upon the death of Gentile Bellini in 1507, it was prescribed in his will that his younger brother, Giovanni Bellini, would complete the work St. Mark Preaching in Alexandria commissioned by the Scuola Grande di San Marco [1]. Giovanni’s continuation…

In Greek mythology, Sisyphus is the founder and first sovereign ruler of modern Corinth (which was then Ephyra). After numerous attempts to trick the gods and cheat death, the gods finally catch up to him and punish him. Sisyphus’ sentence is to roll…

Created by Michelangelo Caravaggio c. 1606-1610, David with the Head of Goliath was created as a gift for the papal court of Rome, specifically for Scipione Borgehese. Caravaggio was accused of murdering Tomassoni in May 1606, and fled from Rome, but…

Castelfranco Madonna is an altarpiece commissioned by Tuzio Constanzo, a condottierio or warlord, and was made in memory of his son, Matteo, who had passed away most likely while serving under his father in war [1]. The Madonna is featured while…

Titian painted Sacred and Profane Love in circa 1515. It was commissioned by Niccoló Aurelio in 1514, a superb chancellor in Venice's city government, on behalf of his matrimony to Laura Bagarotto of Padua [1]. In 1613, this composition was described…

This early oil painting by Titian features a pastoral setting with a lake and luscious green rolling hills. To one side we can see a church with a grand steeple while the other side is flanked by a castle-like fortification overlooking a village. In…

Sacred and Profane Love is a piece done by Titian circa 1515 for Niccolò Aurelio [1]. Niccolò Aurelio, secretary of the Venice Council of Ten, commissioned this painting for his marriage to Laura Bagarotto [2]. The painting itself depicts two ladies,…

The Origin of the Milky Way is one of four pieces created by Jacopo Tintoretto for the Holy Roman emperor circa 1577 to 1578. [1] Tintoretto utilizes his signature dramatized style to convey a sense of active dynamism in the mythological story…

Sacred and Profane Love was painted by Titian for the occasion of the marriage of Laura Bagarotto and the Secretary of Venice’s Council of Ten, Niccolò Aurelio, both of whom have their family’s coat of arms included in this piece. [1] This piece uses…

St.Francis stands barefoot at the focal point of this painting adorned in tanish brown Catholic monk robes.  His arms are extended out to his sides in a fashion similar to depictions of Christ showing his crucifixion wounds.[2]  His head is upturned…