Renaissance master Titian is one of the greatest proponents of classical Venetian painting. Known for his expressive use of color, his career spanned most of the 16th century and his work was celebrated by royalty across Europe. His reputation in art history circles has never waned, as a recent early work sold at auction proves.
On July 2, The Rest on the Flight to Egypt sold for $22 million at Christie's. This sets a new auction record for the artist. Painted when Titian was in his late teens or early 20s, it was one of his last early works in a private collection prior to the auction.
The Biblical scene from the Gospel of Matthew was a common subject for painters in the Renaissance. In the oil painting, we see Mary and the baby Jesus embracing as Joseph watches over them during a short pause on their long journey to Egypt.
The intimate familial scene gives a beautiful glimpse of Titian's future artistic development. In the background, we see the pastoral landscape that was a hallmark of his work. Mary's clothing, rendered in a pinkish-red hue, previews the palette he would frequently use. This contrasts with her ultramarine blue mantle and Joseph's bright yellow clothing.
The painting is strong all on its own but becomes all the more intriguing after discovering what happened to it long after Titian's death. The piece was stolen not once but twice during its lifetime. The first time occurred when it was in the expansive Italian art collection of Austria's Archduke Leopold Wilhelm. When Napoleon's troops occupied Vienna in 1809, they looted the collection and took the painting to Paris. It was later returned in 1815 after the fall of Napoleon.
The second theft occurred much more recently, in 1995, when it was snatched from Longleat House in England. The painting ended up there after John Alexander Thynne, 4th Marquess of Bath, purchased it from Christie's in 1878. It remained missing for seven years until it mysteriously showed up in a bag at a bus stop in London and was then returned to Longleat.
As it changes hands once again, The Rest on the Flight to Egypt proves Titian's incredible staying power.
“This result is a tribute to the impeccable provenance and quiet beauty of this sublime early masterpiece by Titian, which is one of the most poetic products of the artist’s youth,” says Orlando Rock, chairman of Christie’s UK. “This picture has captured the imaginations of audiences for more than half a millennia and will no doubt continue to do so.”
An early painting by Titian, which was stolen twice, has sold at auction for $22 million.
“Archduke Leopold Wilhelm in his gallery in Brussels” by David Teniers the Younger. c. 1647–1651. (Photo: via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
h/t: [Washington Post]
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