Giorgio da Castelfranco Giorgione
Born – Castelfranco, Italy c.1477
Died – Venice, Italy 1510
Neither Giorgione’s life nor his paintings are well-documented. There are few historical references to him and only a handful of paintings can be directly attributed to him. A pupil of Giovanni Bellini, his own work was assisted by Titian. He was a romantic figure – handsome, musical and poetic – who died of the plague in his early thirties. Leonardo da Vinci and Vasari believed him to be one of the founders of “modern art”. In his work, subject matter is less important then inherent mood. Here, The Sleeping Venus is absorbed in private reverie. She lies resting in an idyllic country vista, a setting that the city-dwelling Venetians would have fully appreciated, given their penchant for retreating to the countryside. Giorgio was one of the earliest artists to complete work for private patrons rather than for churches or public commissions. The landscape may have been finished by Titian upon Giorgione’s death. He is also thought to have painted in a cupid – who sat at the sleeping Venus’ feet – that, because of ensuing damage, was painted out again years later.
Masterpieces:
- Madonna and Child With St Liberale and St Francis
- The Tempest
Text: The A-Z of Art, Nicola Hodge and Libby Anson