The painting
Sacred and Profane Love is one of the most fascinating works of the Italian Renaissance, created by the renowned artist
Tiziano Vecellio (Titian) in 1514. This oil on canvas masterpiece is housed at the
Galleria Borghese in Rome, Italy.
The painting is presumed to have been commissioned by Niccolò Aurelio, a secretary to the Venetian Council of Ten, whose coat of arms appears on the sarcophagus or fountain, to celebrate his marriage to a young widow, Laura Bagarotto. It perhaps depicts a figure representing the bride dressed in white, sitting beside Cupid and accompanied by the goddess Venus.
Artistic Style and Influence
Tiziano Vecellio (Titian) was an Italian Renaissance painter, the most important artist of Renaissance Venetian painting. He was born in Pieve di Cadore, near Belluno. During his lifetime he was often called da Cadore, 'from Cadore', taken from his native region.
- His career was successful from the start, and he became sought after by patrons, initially from Venice and its possessions, then joined by the north Italian princes, and finally the Habsburgs and papacy.
- Along with Giorgione, he is considered a founder of the Venetian school of Italian Renaissance painting.
Titian's painting methods, particularly in the application and use of colour, exerted a profound influence not only on painters of the late Italian Renaissance, but on future generations of Western artists. You can find more information about
Tiziano Vecellio (Titian) on
https://ArtsDot.com and on
Wikipedia.
Painting Details
The painting
Sacred and Profane Love is an oil painting by
Tiziano Vecellio (Titian), probably painted in 1514, early in his career. You can find more information about the painting on
https://ArtsDot.com and on
Wikipedia.
The
Galleria Borghese is a museum that houses many famous paintings, including works by
Tiziano Vecellio (Titian), Caravaggio, and Bernini. You can find more information about the
Galleria Borghese on
https://ArtsDot.com.