Pietà (Titian)

Pietà
Artist Titian
Year 1575–1575
Type Oil on canvas
Dimensions 389 cm × 351 cm (153 in × 138 in)
Location Gallerie dell'Accademia, Venice

Pietà is the last painting by the Italian master Titian (c. 1575). It is housed in the Gallerie dell'Accademia of Venice.

The picture represents, over the background of a larger niche in Mannerist style, the Madonna supporting the body of Christ, with the help of a kneeling Nicodemus. The latter is probably a self-portrait of Titian, represented as if he saw his also upcoming death in the Christ's face.[1] On the left, standing and forming an ideal triangle, is Mary Magdalene.

Another small self-portrait, together with his son Orazio, is shown in the base of one of the columns surrounding the niche. The picture is generally considered Titian's last: an inscription in the lower part of the picture notes that it was finished by Palma the Younger.

References

  1. Huse, Norbert. "The Art of Renaissance Venice: Architecture, Sculpture, and Painting, 1460-1590". Chicago University Press, 1993. ISBN 0-226-36109-8. 285

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