The Renaissance painters combined their technical expertise with rich visual language to create a powerful and symbolic message. It cannot be easy sometimes to pick out what things mean, but here is something to look for to understand better.
- Find the Patron
When identifying a Renaissance painting’s significance, it’s important to remember who commissioned it. This is especially true if the work features a cameo appearance.
Titian’s painting is believed to have been made during his early 20s. It was commissioned by Jacopo Pesaro, the Bishop of the town of Paphos on Cyprus, which was part of the Venetian Republic. Aside from being a religious figure, Pesaro was also an aggressive military officer.
Alexander VI of the Borgia clan appointed him to lead the papal fleet. Despite the threat of war, an elite group of patrons in Venice would continue to commission works by some of the city’s most prominent artists. For instance, Titian was frequently returned to Jacopo for the Pesaro Altarpiece.
- Background Clues
In Renaissance paintings, details are rarely accidental. The boats in the background provide helpful clues to the artist’s intentions. The painting shows Pesaro leading the Venetians to victory over the Turks at the Battle of Santa Maura. It features a young donor flanked by Saint Peter and Pope Alexander. The vessels in the background are galleys, the type of vessels commonly used during the numerous maritime skirmishes between Venetian and Ottoman forces.
- Take Note to Space
During the Renaissance, artists sought to trick the eye into believing that the space in their works was real. In this case, Titian utilized various materials, such as paving stones, to create a linear perspective. The lines that run parallel to the wall converge at what is referred to as a vanishing point.
Giovanni Bellini also utilized this technique in his later works, such as the Portrait of Saint Peter and Saint Mark. The artist’s use of a distant landscape adds a layer of spatial depth to the painting. During Titian’s work on the Pesaro Altarpiece, the landscape became an essential theme in Venice. This was evidenced by the buildings on the right, presumably Venetian. Titian would often handle the paint more loosely as the buildings moved further away.
- Find Hidden Geometrics
The lines within the painting subtly communicate the artist’s intention. Titian draws the viewer’s attention to the most significant figure in the painting, which is Saint Peter. The strong parallel lines created by the backs of the two figures and the angle of Pesaro’s head and stance create a compelling contrast to the background.
- Find the Iconography
Although they may seem like random objects, icons and symbols play an essential role in the story of a saint. In Renaissance paintings, saints are often depicted as symbols of their martyrdom. Examples include the painting of St. Agatha by Giovanni Cariani, who holds her severed breasts.
During the Renaissance, studying classical prototypes was a central component of artistic training. In his work, Titian often referenced ancient Roman and Greek motifs. The loosely executed frieze of his “Profane Love” foreshadowed the simulation of classical sculpture featured in his “Sacred and Profane Love” at the Galleria Borghese.
The frieze’s iconography is also related to the themes of the painting. In the painting, the central figure of Cupid is depicted turning his back on various figures representing worldly pleasures.