Th Secret behind a Titian
A painting that was once considered a fake by some has now been restored and accepted as a very rare Titian circular portrait cover. A cover’s aim was to often protect and hide another portrait, usually of a woman. The cover image would often be a witty play on or about the person hiding behind it.
The “Triumph of Love” by Titan shows Cupid standing on a crouching lion, depicting a common classical theme of Love’s conquest over man’s wilder passions.
The painting originally belonged to Gabriel Vendramin, a friend and patron of Titan who owned the most significant collection of art in Venice in the early part of the 16th Century. He was married and had seven daughters but in a family portrait that he had commissioned only he and his seven sons appeared. What role did women play in his life? In most of history mistresses and courtesans have always played a role, especially for the wealthy. Who was the woman that was hidden behind the painting that’s worth nearly $1million. It is thought to be an unidentified noblewoman dressed in black also by Titan. Who was she? What wild passions did she ignite in Gabriel who already managed to have 14 children by his wife?
The painting will be on view at the National Gallery in London for the summer after which it will move to its permanent home the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford later this year.
Excllent additional articles can be found at Artinfo & the Guardian.
