Pietro Aretino

Pietro Aretino was an influential Italian author during the sixteenth century. In addition to his artistic work, however, he was a friend to countless people in power and was nicknamed “the scourge of princes” for his use of blackmail against correspondents [1]. He was keen and active in the realm of politics.

In this self-titled work by Titian, Aretino dominates the frame. Although his clothes are dark and muted in color, he still is able to emerge from the background blanketed in a gray shadow. This further allows the gold chain that drapes over his neck and his fair-complexion to bring attention to his bearing over the viewer, from whom he remains aloof. He stands facing the left at a three-quarter turn, giving him additional breadth that projects power and purpose. His gaze is soft and turned upward, showing his wisdom and by extension his creativity that served as the basis for much of his work––meanwhile his graying beard implies a more insidious type of aging. The piece and the figure portrayed can be summed up by one word: presence. 

Although the portrait currently hangs in New York’s Frick Collection, it was commissioned for Aretino’s publisher Francesco Marcolini [2]. Another one of Titian’s portraits of Aretino (now in the Pitti Palace) was sent as a gift to Cosimo de’ Medici, a powerful and wealthy Florentine banker who ruled over a dynasty [3]. Together, the two recognize Pietro Arentino’s dominance of both the artistic and political landscape, a feat that few of his time could dare to claim. Furthermore, the use of such a prolific and recognized painter signalled great wealth and supremacy. Anyone whose eyes fell upon the portraits––either at the palace of a baron of Florence or at the office of a very well respected publisher––would know instantly the importance of both the owner and the subject.

[1] “Pietro Aretino,” The Frick Collection, accessed November 10, 2020, https://www.frick.org/exhibitions/parmigianino/aretino.

[2] Xavier F. Salomon, “An important work by Titian has been hiding in plain sight,” Apollo Magazine, September 20, 2019, https://www.apollo-magazine.com/an-important-work-by-titian-has-been-hiding-in-plain-sight/.

[3] “Portrait of Pietro Aretino,” The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accessed November 10, 2020, https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/662705.

Salomon, Xavier F. “An important work by Titian has been hiding in plain sight.” Apollo Magazine, September 20, 2019. https://www.apollo-magazine.com/an-important-work-by-titian-has-been-hiding-in-plain-sight/.

The Frick Collection. “Pietro Aretino.” Accessed November 10, 2020. https://www.frick.org/exhibitions/parmigianino/aretino.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art. “Portrait of Pietro Aretino.” Accessed November 10, 2020. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/662705.