Titian: Prince of Painters (Art) [Hardcover]

Titian (Author), Susanna Biadene (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Art | Publication Date: August 1990

A comprehensive work on the master painter of the Italian Renaissance. This illustrated volume combines commentary from art historians along with colour reproductions of the artist's frescoes, portraits and altarpieces which reflect conservation efforts. Essays from 16 scholars explore every aspect of Titian's life and art, and more than 75 masterpieces are closely analysed and accompanied by full-colour plates. The book also features a comparative chronology as well as a section devoted to a scientific analysis of Titian's technique. Accessibly presented and aimed at a broad audience, this is an authoritative examination of one of the world's most important and beloved artists.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This excellent catalog of the 1990-1991 exhibition in Venice and Washington is a work of permanent value. Featuring essays by 16 authorities, primarily Italian and American, on every aspect of the art of Titian (Tiziano Vecelli, c. 1490-1576), the quintessential Venetian artist of the high Renaissance, the work transcends the limits of spatial and temporal exhibition to summarize and extend current scholarship. At the same time, the text is accessible, well translated, and aimed at a broad audience. Many of the works in the exhibit were conserved or cleaned, so the book features fresh illustrations and a hefty amount of technical discussion of specialist interest. A distinguished addition to the vast bibliography, recommended for all art collections.
- Jack Perry Brown, Ryer son & Burnham Libs., Art Inst. of Chicago
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"[An] excellent catalog... the quintessential Venetian artist of the high Renaissance... accessible, well translated, and aimed at a broad audience. Many of the works... were conserved or cleaned, so the book features fresh illustrations."

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 452 pages
• Publisher: Prestel Publishing (August 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3791311026
• ISBN-13: 978-3791311029
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 8.7 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,441,238 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The definitive work for our generation, October 25, 1999

By 

Roger Townsend (Houston, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Titian: Prince of Painters (Art) (Hardcover)

This catalogue, complete with numerous essays about Titian's working methods, influences, and the like, is the definitive work on Titian for our generation. It contains lavish illustrations, copious commentary, and a comprehensive selection of the changes Titian's painting underwent during his long life.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Beautiful, Scholarly Work, January 13, 2005

By 

DCArtGuy - See all my reviews

This review is from: Titian: Prince of Painters (Art) (Hardcover)

I just brought home my copy and had a chance to look it over for the first time last night. What a book! It's a real treat for the senses, scholarly, wide-ranging, beautifully illustrated...I only wish I had been able to see the show it documents.

The essays I've read so far are concise and authoritative, but definitely speak to the non-academic fan of Titian's work. A terrific span of topics are covered here: the critical response of Titian's contemporaries, his work with collaborators and mentors, etc. The history of the works and the man is plotted in detail, and there are even highly scientific sections concerning the artist's techniques and efforts to maintain and restore his masterpieces.

But none of that should detract in any way from the beauty of the works themselves, which are illustrated in gorgeous color plates. While Prince of Painters does not present itself as a comprehensive catalogue of Titian's works, most of my favorites are here: the Assumption from the Frari in Venice, the Annunciation from San Salvador, Christ Crowned With Thorns from the Alte Pinakothek in Munich (can you believe they even let this stuff TRAVEL to the States?).

I am so happy I bought this book! Anybody with either a scholarly or casual interest in the man and his works would be well advised to hunt down a copy of this book. Maybe not the definitive text on Titian, but a wonderful addition to anyone's art library.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A bit unorganized for such a good reference book., September 4, 2001

By 

The Artist "The Artist" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Titian: Prince of Painters (Art) (Hardcover)

I cannot help giving this book not the best rating possible. What a pity for such a good reference book!
As an individual who practices oil painting myself, I am very interested in the techniques of the Old Masters, among whose Titian's is one of my favorites. In addition to discussions on the catalog, biography, collaboration, etc..., Titian's techniques are discussed in-depth based on scientific results (x-ray and gas-chromatography/mass spectrometry, to name a few. Unfortunately, the presentation of these results is rather unorganized, namely, pointing to painting in point without indicating page or plate number. Consequently, in order to be able to follow the text, I had to make some manual bookmarks myself or search through the book to look for the painting under discussion. Furthermore, some references refer to some paintings that are very difficult to look for throughout the book.

I understand the book is a product of heavy collaboration; therefore, coherence is a real challenge. However, that is no excuse for lack of a thorough index at the end of the book. To my surprise, there is none!

I feel miserable for there is such a flaw in this gem! What a pity!