Doge Leonardo Loredan
Dublin Core
Title
Doge Leonardo Loredan
Description
This art piece was painted by Giovanni Bellini. Bellini was raised in an artist family and later became one of the most well-known Venetian artists. This painting was through the medium of oil painting instead of egg tempera, which he pioneered in the Netherland. [1] This new technique allowed him to take advantage of oil paint's slow drying property to create more subtle details and soft color transition with blending colors directly on canvas or wood.
The paint is a portrait of Doge Leonardo Loredan. Doge Leonardo Loredan was the ruler of Venice when Venice was almost the richest city in the world. He was elected in 1501 until he passed away in 1521. [2] This painting has presented to the viewer how focused both on the Doge’s character through his facial expression and his wealthiness from his robe and his dogal cap. When the viewer looks at Doge’s face, they will notice that his olive-colored eyes do not directly look at the viewer. Bellini painted his gaze this way, maybe because the Doge is so solemn that no one can directly look at him in the eyes. Unlike other portrait painting during the Renaissance period, Bellini has painted almost every wrinkle and facial features of Doge’s appearance. The wrinkles on his skin could convey a sense of his experience being a ruler, and the glare from his eyes has expressed his sincerity. Also, at the same time, those vivid factors have contributed to the feel of realities rather than imaginations. When viewers examine at the magnificent golden robe, it set off a strong contrast with the background. The robe is sewed with gold threads in a unique pattern with the light reflection. The painting stroke adopted by Bellini delivers the exceptional quality of the texture to further show his wealthiness and created an accurate representational art.
[1] Humfrey, Peter, Ursula Lehmann-Brockhaus, Lucinda Hawkins, and Ulrike Bauer-Eberhardt. "Bellini family." Grove Art Online. 2003; https://www-oxfordartonline-com.proxy.lib.duke.edu/groveart/view/10.1093/gao/9781884446054.001.0001/oao-9781884446054-e-7000007643.
[2] National Gallery of UK. “Doge Leonardo Loredan by Giovanni Bellini”n.d. Accessed October 5, 2020. https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/giovanni-bellini-doge-leonardo-loredan.
The paint is a portrait of Doge Leonardo Loredan. Doge Leonardo Loredan was the ruler of Venice when Venice was almost the richest city in the world. He was elected in 1501 until he passed away in 1521. [2] This painting has presented to the viewer how focused both on the Doge’s character through his facial expression and his wealthiness from his robe and his dogal cap. When the viewer looks at Doge’s face, they will notice that his olive-colored eyes do not directly look at the viewer. Bellini painted his gaze this way, maybe because the Doge is so solemn that no one can directly look at him in the eyes. Unlike other portrait painting during the Renaissance period, Bellini has painted almost every wrinkle and facial features of Doge’s appearance. The wrinkles on his skin could convey a sense of his experience being a ruler, and the glare from his eyes has expressed his sincerity. Also, at the same time, those vivid factors have contributed to the feel of realities rather than imaginations. When viewers examine at the magnificent golden robe, it set off a strong contrast with the background. The robe is sewed with gold threads in a unique pattern with the light reflection. The painting stroke adopted by Bellini delivers the exceptional quality of the texture to further show his wealthiness and created an accurate representational art.
[1] Humfrey, Peter, Ursula Lehmann-Brockhaus, Lucinda Hawkins, and Ulrike Bauer-Eberhardt. "Bellini family." Grove Art Online. 2003; https://www-oxfordartonline-com.proxy.lib.duke.edu/groveart/view/10.1093/gao/9781884446054.001.0001/oao-9781884446054-e-7000007643.
[2] National Gallery of UK. “Doge Leonardo Loredan by Giovanni Bellini”n.d. Accessed October 5, 2020. https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/giovanni-bellini-doge-leonardo-loredan.
Creator
Giovanni Bellini
Source
Humfrey, Peter, Ursula Lehmann-Brockhaus, Lucinda Hawkins, and Ulrike Bauer-Eberhardt. "Bellini family." Grove Art Online. 2003; https://www-oxfordartonline-com.proxy.lib.duke.edu/groveart/view/10.1093/gao/9781884446054.001.0001/oao-9781884446054-e-7000007643.
National Gallery of UK. “Doge Leonardo Loredan by Giovanni Bellini”n.d. Accessed October 5, 2020. https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/giovanni-bellini-doge-leonardo-loredan.
Garten, Jessica. “The World of Doge Lorenzo Loredan (1436−1521) behind His Portrait.” Armstrong State. Accessed October 5, 2020. Universityn.d. https://www.armstrong.edu/history-journal/history-journal-the-world-of-doge-lorenzo-loredan-14361521-behind-his-portr.
Kaplan, Paul H. D. "Loredan, Leonardo, Doge of Venice." Grove Art Online. 2003; https://www-oxfordartonline-com.proxy.lib.duke.edu/groveart/view/10.1093/gao/9781884446054.001.0001/oao-9781884446054-e-7000051919.
Bätschmann, Oskar. Giovanni Bellini. Online, ebook: London : Reaktion Books, Limited April 2008 Chicago : Chicago Distribution Center [Distributor], 2008.
National Gallery of UK. “Doge Leonardo Loredan by Giovanni Bellini”n.d. Accessed October 5, 2020. https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/giovanni-bellini-doge-leonardo-loredan.
Garten, Jessica. “The World of Doge Lorenzo Loredan (1436−1521) behind His Portrait.” Armstrong State. Accessed October 5, 2020. Universityn.d. https://www.armstrong.edu/history-journal/history-journal-the-world-of-doge-lorenzo-loredan-14361521-behind-his-portr.
Kaplan, Paul H. D. "Loredan, Leonardo, Doge of Venice." Grove Art Online. 2003; https://www-oxfordartonline-com.proxy.lib.duke.edu/groveart/view/10.1093/gao/9781884446054.001.0001/oao-9781884446054-e-7000051919.
Bätschmann, Oskar. Giovanni Bellini. Online, ebook: London : Reaktion Books, Limited April 2008 Chicago : Chicago Distribution Center [Distributor], 2008.
Publisher
The National Gallery of UK
https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/giovanni-bellini-doge-leonardo-loredan
https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/giovanni-bellini-doge-leonardo-loredan
Date
1501-1502
Contributor
Emily Song
Rights
This image is licensed for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons agreement by the National Gallery of UK
Format
Oil on poplar, 61.4 × 44.5 cm
Type
Painting
Coverage
The National Gallery, London, United Kingdom
Citation
Giovanni Bellini, “Doge Leonardo Loredan,” ARTHIST 89S - Visual Culture of Venice - Fall 2020, accessed October 22, 2026, https://venice.dahvc.org/fall-2020/items/show/103.