Renaissance Show At The National Gallery of Art

Over 100 works from Renaissance Venice are currently on display at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.

The show concentrates on three masters: Giovanni Bellini, Giorgione, and Titian. Bellini was born into a family of artists and had a long and successful career. Giorgione and Titian were both pupils of his. Giorgione may not have reached his full artistic potential since it is believed he died in his early thirties in the plague. Titian enjoyed huge success in his time as a portrait painter.

As part of this exhibition, a lot of technical work has been done as in-depth study of the paintings: x-radiography and infrared reflectography were used to see how the underdrawings and beginning outlines were set up and to see how artists changed the paintings as they developed. Also pigments were studied to determine just how they were made and to understand the extent of the addition of glass particles.

Paintings by Venetian artists use a stunningly rich palette. Their use of color and light to create emotion is distinct among all eras of painting. It is now believed that the addition of glass particles certainly adds to the richness and luster of their paintings. I hope that you, as I, intend to visit these paintings and become enthralled with the uniqueness of Venetian Renaissance art.

htp://www.nga.gov/exhibitions/index.shtm#bellini