XI.
Jesus Promises His Kingdom to the Good Thief

Christ and the Good Thief, c. 1566
Vecellio Tiziano, Venetian (1485-1576)
Oil on canvas
Pinacoteca Nazionale, Bologna

The greatest painter of the Venetian school, Tiziano was well-known in the early part of his career for his religious, mythological, and portrait paintings, original in conception and vivid with color and movement.  After the death of his wife in 1530, however, his work takes on a more restrained and meditative quality.  He then began using yellows and pale shades, and his works were much less adventurous.  He was commissioned to paint Pope Paul III and many imperial figures of the time.  Tiziano was lavish in his hospitality to his friends, and often used his wealth and status to help further their artistic careers.