Giorgione (1478-1510),
Tintoretto (1518-1594),
Titian (1477-1576).
-Students of Bellini-
The Venetians used a glue sizing for their canvas before applying a chalk gesso. They did not use an oil ground which ensured that as the oil aged of the oil wouldn’t bleed through the paint layers on the surface.
Giorgione
According to Giorgio Vasari, respected recorder of the lives of painters during the Renaissance, Giorgiones' talents were recognized early. It is also stated that he lived a short life, dying at the age of 23. Giorgiones' work is considered some of the more "poetic" in nature of the period.
Tintoretto
The story of Tintoretto is that he became quite adept at speed in the execution of his work. “Paradise” was a commission that was offered as a competition. Artists were given a week to prepare sketches for the 30 foot wall space. Tintoretto not only completed the sketches, but delivered the finished painting. An unprecedented feat.
Titian
Titian is considered the master of the grisaille and impasto. Titian created a grisaille in one session, and it has been witnessed by Giorgio Vasari that he would allow it to dry for months. When it was dry, he would then glaze with a half-paste or paint diluted with turpentine. While Tintoretto perfected speed in technique, Titians' process was conversely, time consuming. Titian needed to be sure his impasto was completely dry through all thicknesses before moving to the next stage of glazing with color.
( note to students: this web site will not allow me to post images of these masters here, so if you need them or want them for your references, email me with your request, and I will send them to you in an attachment.)
