Titian, the greatest Venetian
artist of the 16th century, brought life to his paintings by
forsaking the traditional rigidity of his time. His works are also known for
their exceptional color. Christ is robed in the traditional red and blue, the
colors of the human and divine. While the eye first focuses on Him because of
Titian’s use of light, the viewer cannot ignore the contrast presented by every
element of the scene. Christ’s face, shining and open, turns toward that of the
Pharisee, dark, wrinkled, and conniving. Christ’s eyes glance softly; the
Pharisee’s are hidden. Christ’s hand reaches softly in a sign of benediction
toward the curled, dirty paw of the other. And while the Pharisee’s garments
are a soiled white, Christ’s are pure red and blue—the colors of the human and
the divine. His modest halo is unnecessary; Christ’s virtue radiates tangibly
from him.
“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 12:17
