Portrait of Doge Mocenigo

This painting is by Gentile Bellini and was likely commissioned privately by Doge Giovanni Mocenigo himself. This painting was originally credited to Bastani due to the heavy dark over paintings, but after being cleaned and restored it was soon realized that the well preserved, highly detailed painting was actually done by Bellini.

This portrait was a later work of Gentile Bellini that showcases his flat patterned style that has been used to identify other works of his. The painting takes on a side-portrait view of the doge depicting him in a very stately and pious manner. He has a very serious look on his face showing his power and authority over the dominion of Venice. The lines and wrinkles that can be seen on Mocenigo's face implies that he is a wise man who is suited to run the city of Venice. The cloak worn by the doge is white with elaborate golden trimming along the collar and the buttons which is subject to change depending on the doge. One thing that is peculiar about this painting is the fact that the doge is wearing a gold and white corono ducal instead of the usual red one. The white and gold colors are symbolic and signify that the doge is pure and uncorrupted. The golden background of this painting has an interesting effect on the silhouette of the doge that makes it seem like there is an aura coming off of his body. While the whole entire background obviously visualizes the wealth and power of the doge and Venice because of the gold color, the area around the doge's body is slightly lighter than the rest of the background giving him an angelic like portrayal.

Gentile Bellini

COLLINS, H. F. (1970). Gentile Bellini: A Monograph And Catalogue Of Works (Order No. 7020348). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (288084750). Retrieved from https://login.proxy.lib.duke.edu/login?url=https://www-proquest-com.proxy.lib.duke.edu/docview/288084750?accountid=10598

Britannica Educational Publishing Staff. The 100 Most Influential Painters and Sculptors of the Renaissance : 100 Most Influential Painters and Sculptors of the Renaissance. Chicago, IL: Rosen Publishing Group, 2009. Accessed September 16, 2020. ProQuest Ebook Central.

Pignatti, Terisio. "A Rediscovered Portrait by Gentile Bellini." The Burlington Magazine 95, no. 600 (1953): 93-95. Accessed September 16, 2020. http://www.jstor.org/stable/871019.

Giovanni Bellini and Gentile Bellini. Portrait of Doge Mocenigo. painting. Place: Museo Correr. https://library.artstor.org/asset/SCALA_ARCHIVES_1039778348.

Image and original data provided by SCALA, Florence/ART RESOURCE, N.Y.

1478

Darien Sansosti

(c) 2006, SCALA, Florence / ART RESOURCE, N.Y.

62.5 cm x 45.5 cm

Painting on a panel

Museo Correr