Tintoretto was an Italian painter who lived in the sixteenth century. He is regarded as one of Italy’s greatest Renaissance artists, with works on display in a number of major museums. Because Tintoretto also painted frescoes, his work can be seen in a variety of churches. He had a distinct energetic style that drew a lot of criticism at the time, but it still distinguishes his work today; once you know Tintoretto’s style, you’ll recognize his work.
Tintoretto was born Jacopo Comin, but as a child, he was given the nickname “Tintoretto” in honor of his father’s occupation as a dyer, or tintore. Even as a child, the “dyer’s boy” showed incredible artistic ability, and he was briefly apprenticed to Titian, another well-known artist of the time. Tintoretto, on the other hand, had a mind of his own, and Titian allegedly dismissed him because of his independence, despite Titian’s recognition of his artistic potential.
Tintoretto studied the work of other painters closely in the early stages of his career, and he also mastered the art of modeling, which enabled him to set up complex scenes to paint without having to worry about the discomfort of living subjects. Many of Tintoretto’s works are large-scale, involving large groups of people who are often contorted into unusual or uncomfortable positions, and modeling undoubtedly helped him achieve this. He also worked for little pay in order to gain patrons and publicize his work.
Considering Tintoretto’s lack of formal education, the quality of his work is astounding. He earned the nickname “Il Furioso” for his savage, very active painting style, but he also exhibited tremendous technical skill. A mastery of perspective, color theory, and composition can be seen in his surviving artworks. He was also a prolific artist, producing a large body of work, including several large-scale works. Paradise, painted in 1588, is thought to be the world’s largest painting on canvas, measuring 72 feet (22 meters) by 22 feet (7 meters).
Tintoretto was not only a gifted artist, but also a lover of other arts, such as music, and a tinker, who spent his life tinkering with a variety of mechanical objects. Despite his misanthrope tendencies, he was said to be very generous to the poor. Tintoretto spent the majority of his life in his Venice studio, which was usually closed to visitors and friends, though he was said to have kept cats, which could have kept him company while he worked.
Tintoretto made a significant contribution to Renaissance art and culture with his vast body of work. His style also defied convention, employing light, color, and action in unexpected and often stunning ways. Other artists were clearly influenced by Tintoretto’s work, and they are still doing so today.