Pesaro Altarpiece

Titian, 1519 to 1526
(cleaning, relining and consolidation, 1977)

Titian painted this masterpiece, one of the most famous paintings in Venice, to commemorate Bishop Jacopo Pesaro's victory over the Turkish fleet. Jacopo Pesaro commissioned this altarpiece, begun in 1519 and finished in 1526, to commemorate his role as captain of the papal fleets. Titian, defying the long-standing tradition of placing the most important person in the center of the work, created an illusion of great depth by setting the Virgin and Child off axis. The Pesaros were among the principal families in the Frari district and major supporters of the church. Jacopo Pesaro is shown on the left, kneeling in front of a man wearing armor who holds a banner bearing the Borgia and Pesaro arms (Alexander VI, Giovanni Borgia, was Pope at the time of this victory). He leads his prisoner, a turbaned Turk, towards Saint Peter. On the right, members of the Pesaro family can be identified as Saint Francis presents them to the Christ Child. A young Pesaro boy looks out at the viewer, inviting us into the scene.

Photo: Mark Smith