Monument to Titian
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Titian died in Venice on August 27th 1576 and was buried, as he had requested, in the church of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari. He was interred in the Chapel of the Crucifix. Almost three hundred years later the chapel was moved to the other side of the church and replaced by a monument to Titian.
Although Antonio Canova had been commissioned to design a monument to Titian in 1790, the project was never brought to fruition, owing to lack of funds and the collapse of the Republic of Venice. Canova's model is in the Museo Correr. It wasn't until 1838, during a visit to Venice by the Emperor of Austria, Ferdinand I, that the idea was resurrected. A competition was duly held, which was won by a design submitted by one of Canova's pupils, Luigi Zandomeneghi (1770-1852), with the help of his two sons, Pietro and Andrea. Work on the monument began in 1843 and was completed in 1852. In the centre is a statue of Titian, seated and crowned a laurel wreath. Behind him are five bas-reliefs, which depict some of the master's most important religious works. The centre is dominated by a relief of the Assumption, the painting of which decorates the high altar. The four standing statues represent Painting, Sculpture, Graphic Art, and Architecture. On the base to the left of the monument sits an old man, holding a tablet which bears the inscription: EQUES ET COMES TITIANUS SIT CAROLUS V MDLIII. On the right sits a much younger man, who bears a tablet on which is inscribed: TITIANO MONUMENTUM ERECTUM SIT. On the back of the tablet is a portrait of Luigi Zandomeneghi, who died before the monument was completed. In the pavement, to the right of the monument, are two plaques. The older of the two records, in translation: 'Here lies the great Titian, emulator of Zeuxis and Apelles.' However, during the construction of the monument, Titian's remains were searched for, but not found. The second plaque duly notes: 'Ancient tombstone - Here found and repositioned - Despite there being no trace - of the mortal remains of the painter - MDCCCLII.' |
Monument to Titian
Portrait of Luigi Zandomeneghi
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