Titien. Le pouvoir en face

Titian portrayed the most powerful people of his time: Emperors and kings, popes and cardinals, writers and musicians. So the portraits shown in the catalogue present the 16th century VIPs.
Titian’s meeting with the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V in Bologna in 1530 would be a determining event in his life. On this occasion Titian executed a full-length, life-size portrait of the Emperor. Charles was so pleased with it that he appointed Titian as principal painter to the imperial court, which gave him immense privileges, honours and even titles. From this moment he was the painter most in demand at courts across Europe and achieved international fame through his numerous portraits. The images featured in the catalogue are a testimony of his artistic skills and his impressive encounters with the most important people of his century.
Recognized by his contemporaries as "The Sun Amidst Small Stars", Titian was one of the most important members of the 16th century Venetian school.
Published in association with the Musée du Luxembourg in Paris, this catalogue celebrates the work and the influence of Titian through a selection of its spectacular portraits.