Titian. Letters

Lionello Puppi has been involved in research for years, not only in archives throughout Europe but also in the reorganisation of the Titian archives at the Magnifica Comunità in Cadore. Three assistants joined him last summer and have transcribed letters, created a practical and efficient name and place index, and established contact with archivists, museums, libraries and private owners of Titian’s letters.

The material gathered, now dispersed in various public and private locations, has given a profound understanding of the events in the life of the maestro of Cadore, as well as illuminated the ways in which he conducted his artistic and entrepreneurial activities. Furthermore, a promotional programme has been undertaken to advertise the project, including its announcement at the Frankfurt Book Fair and at Titian based conferences, notably in Germany, where studies about him are particularly advanced. The publication, consisting of approximately 400 pages, presents a complete edition of letters to and from Titian throughout his life, between the years 1513 and 1576.

One of the first collections of Titian’s letters was published in 1977, based on material collected by Celso Fabbro and edited by Clemente Gandini for the Magnifica Comunità in Cadore. This was in print until 1989. Until now, it was the only reliable reference available: a great achievement at the time even though it had shortcomings both in the accuracy of the transcriptions and the commentaries. A new edition was desired and needed.This book is the culmination of the curator’s work during the past five years who, concurrently, produced the great Belluno-Pieve di Cadore exhibition “Tiziano. L’ultimo atto” in the autumn and winter of 2007, and the edition of the life of Titian compiled by Tizianello in 1622.  This edition not only adds 80 new and unpublished letters to the Gandini collection but also identifies the location of letters formerly described as lost or unrecoverable.

This edition benefits from detailed observations which, thanks to the latest studies of Titian, examine and explain circumstances previously unknown to specialists in the often tormented and difficult relationships between the Maestro and his patrons, from the Farnese Circle to Philip II at the Court of Spain and including close friends, starting with Pietro Aretino.