Bellini, Giorgione, and Titian: A Three Part Course with Dr. Susan Steer

This three-part course considers the work of Venice’s most important early Renaissance painter, Giovanni Bellini, together with the art of his presumed pupils, the elusive but highly influential Giorgione, and the celebrated painter Titian. Altogether, the work of these three men defines Venetian Renaissance painting.

Known as Giorgione, "big George", this elusive figure died young leaving a tiny body of work, and yet, while he is often off-the-radar outside art history classes, he is considered one of the most inventive and influential artists of the Italian renaissance. Little is known about his life, as his only biographer came after his time and was unsympathetic to him as an artist. Today many attributions are controversial, as are the interpretations of his pictures, which often inspire furious debate. Conversely, Titian enjoyed a long and highly successful career, making him one of Europe’s most sought-after and prosperous artists. 

The course will mainly focus on the artworks created by these artists for Venice, considering them in their physical as well as art-historical contexts. Led by Dr. Susan Steer, an expert in Venetian Renaissance painting, this course looks in-depth at three of the most significant artists of Venice's Renaissance.

Lecture 1: Giovanni Bellini 

Focussing on paintings created for his home city, we will look at Bellini's paintings found in art museums, but we will also look at the art still found in its original context, considering how the artist created his pieces with particular settings in mind. We will also see how Bellini's art evolved from a linear, lapidary style influenced by Mantegna through a softer, painterly style that defined the Venetian Renaissance. 

Lecture 2: Giorgione

This seminar takes a close look at the work of this elusive but massively influential figure, trying to tease out fact from fiction. We will also consider some of the controversies around this artistic personality. 

Lecture 3: Titian 

Concentrating on paintings created for his adopted city of Venice, we will look at paintings in art museums and famous monuments, and we will also discover some of his masterpieces in some lesser-known sites. We will consider how Titian's style evolved, not only as he matured, but also in response to the different settings and patrons with whom he worked.

Susan Steer PhD is an art historian specializing in Medieval and Renaissance Venice. Susan has an extensive teaching background, lecturing on Italian art for universities in the UK and in Italy. She has also worked as a paintings researcher at museums in the UK, and has published on Italian Renaissance and Baroque art in leading specialist journals. She has lived in Venice for over 20 years.

How does it work?

This is a three-part series held weekly and hosted on Zoom. Please check the schedule for the specific dates and times for each lecture.

Is there a reading list in advance?

Though the course is open to participants with no background on this topic, there are suggested readings for further investigation. You will receive this soon after course registration.

How long are the lectures?

Each lecture is 90 minutes long with time for Q&A.

How much is the course?

The course is $105 for three lectures.

Is a recording available?

Yes. If you need to miss a lecture, you will be sent a recording after the event.

This course is suitable for all ages

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.