Titian's Paintings Walk (Self Guided), Venice

One of the greatest painters of all time, Tiziano Vecelli – better known as Titian – was a pioneering figure of the Venetian school of Italian Renaissance painting. His career was successful from the start, and he became sought after by patrons, initially from Venice and its possessions, then joined by the north Italian princes, and finally the Habsburgs and papacy.

Equally adept with portraits, landscape backgrounds, and mythological and religious subjects, his methods – particularly in the application and use of colour – exercised a profound influence not only on painters of the late Italian Renaissance, but on future generations of Western art. This self-guided walking tour will guide you through the most important places that have benefited from Titian’s amazing skills.

Because of a devastating fire in the late 16th century, the Doge’s Palace had to be reconstructed – fortunately during the peak of both Venetian wealth and its talents. The result was a massive collaboration among stars like Titian, Veronese, Tintoretto and Tiepolo, who filled every room with paintings and sculptures – some of which are so beautiful that each of them could easily be a headliner piece in any major art museum!

Another veritable treasure-chest of exceptional works of art, Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari houses perhaps the most famous masterpiece of Titian's early maturity, “Assumption of the Virgin” (1516-18), as well as the painter's tomb. What’s not to be forgotten is also “Pesaro Madonna” (1526), which some critics thought to be the artist’s best work in Venice.

Other precious works by Titian can be admired in the Gallerie dell'Accademia (“Presentation of the Virgin”), the Santa Maria della Salute (“St. Mark Enthroned”, the altarpiece of the sacristy, as well as ceiling paintings of David and Goliath, Abraham and Isaac and Cain and Abel), and the San Giovanni Elemosinario (“St. John the Almsgiver”).

Take our self-guided walk to admire Titian’s artistic mastership in Venice as well as the beautiful church where he was laid to rest.

Getting to Sight #1. The first tour stop (Palazzo Ducale (Doge's Palace)) is on San Marco Square or can be reached by: Alilaguna Water Taxi: Blue (B), Rosa (R); Water Bus: 1, 2, 4.1, 10, 7, 4.2, 5.2, 2, 20 + N (Night line).