Tiziano Vecelli

Tiziano Vecelli or Titian as he is better known is the leader of the 16th Century Venetian school of the Italian Renaissance. His birth date a total mystery was born in the year 1485 in Pieve de Cadore near Veneto, in Italy. He has been often referred to as Da Cadore from his place of origin. His father was the superintendent of the castle of Pieve de Cadore and also managed some local mines for some rich families of the time. His family and many of their predecessors are noted to be well-established in the areas ruled by Venice. At the age of 12, his brother Francesco and Titian were sent to find apprenticeship with a painter and ended up in the studio of the old but well versed artist Gentile Bellini through a minor painter who was a family friend. They later transferred to the studio of Gentile’s brother Giovanni who was one of the leading artists of the time in their city.