Titian ~ Christ of the Money

Titian, the greatest Venetian artist of the 16^th century, was known for his dramatization of art through his use of color. Through his use of color the beholder is drawn to his pictures as beautiful and provocative of thought. Titian also contributed to the development of the Renaissance art as he broke with the traditional rigidity of art deviating from that rigidity in how the object of art should be portrayed, especially in regard to religious paintings. One can see Titian’s use of color at work in this painting.

The explanation of the title of this painting is easily seen in light of a certain passage, which is in all four Gospels:

“Who coming, say to him: Master, we know that thou art a true speaker, and carest not for any man; for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar; or shall we not give it? Who knowing their wiliness, saith to them: Why tempt you me? bring me a penny that I may see it.

And they brought it him. And he saith to them: Whose is this image and inscription? They say to him, Caesar' s. And Jesus answering, said to them: Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar' s, and to God the things that are God' s. And they marvelled at him.” Mark 12:14-17