Salome

In Giorgio Vasari: The Lives of the Artists Vasari explains the achievements of Titian. As stated in Giorgio Vasari, “Titian was born in Cadore, a small town on the River Piave, five miles from the pass through the Alps, to the Vecelli family, one of the noblest in those parts, and when, at the age of ten, he showed fine wit and a lively mind, he was sent to Venice to the home of an uncle of his, a respected citizen, who saw that the boy had a real propensity for the art of painting and who placed him with Giovanni Bellini, a skillful and very famous painter of those times.” (Page 489). It was very fortunate that Titian’s uncle noticed Titians talent, which led him to his fine work we see today.

Titian oil painting Salome was presented in 1515 and now is placed in the Doria Pamphilj Gallery in Rome. While observing this painting it is set in a dark room with an arch opened and shows the blue sky, which is sculpted angel. Salome is holding the head of Saint John the Baptist and is assisted with a woman helper.  The woman was shown in many of Titian’s pieces including; Woman at the Mirror and Violante. Vasari admits, “Although a large number of artisans studied with titian, not many of them can truly be called his followers, for he did not teach much, but each one of them learned more or less, according to what they knew how to take from the works Titian executed…” (Page 508).

Salome (Judith) by Titian