Venice: the Most Serene Republic

By the opening of the 15th century, Venice had become the leading maritime power in the Mediterranean and possibly the wealthiest city in Europe. Venice’s holdings on the Italian mainland began to turn a profit and in turn, public patronage of the arts was on the rise. By the 16th century, the Venetian school of painting led by the great Tiziano Vecelli (Titian), was reaching the height of its power and influence, a position that it maintained until the last years of the 16th century. In a society as conscious of tradition as Venice, the success of artists depended on their ability to evoke and blend with the glorious past. The golden age of the Serenissima Republic is reflected in the art Titian generated for its churches, confraternities, and palaces.