The Groove 183 - Your Formula for Sustained Success
YOUR FORMULA FOR CREATIVE SUCCES
Much has been written about attaining professional success in one’s life. Many of the millions of books and articles on the subject have highlighted one or several elements that are sine qua non.
While condensing the complexities of historical breakthroughs into a mere newsletter entry may seem daunting, today's reflection serves as a gentle reminder that success often follows a formulaic path—a sequence of triumphs awaits those who adhere to its principles.
The life of Tiziano Vecellio, later known simply as Titian, is a perfect example of this formula. Born in Pieve di Cadore, a small town at the foot of the Dolomites, nobody knows Titian's exact date of birth, but historical notes and his early development suggest that it was around 1490. Despite living over five centuries ago, the man who was called “the sun amidst small stars, not only among the Italians but all the painters of the world," left behind a legacy that transcends the art world, offering valuable lessons applicable to any career and any challenge. These four habits were the core of his enormous success:
Mastery Through Practice
Titian’s self portrait completed ca. 1547. Oil on canvas. Permanent collection of the Gemäldegalerie, Berlin.
The path to mastery is paved with the stones of practice. With each repetition, we refine our skills, deepen our understanding, and unlock new insights.
It's through this relentless dedication to practice that we not only hone our craft but also uncover the depths of our potential. In the journey of learning, practice isn't just a means to an end—it's the very essence of progress.
At the age of ten, Titian was sent to live with an uncle in Venice, a bustling metropolis renowned for its opulence and diverse cultural milieu. Shortly after his arrival he became an apprentice to minor painter Sebastian Zuccato. Little is documented about Titian’s education, but it's presumed to have been rudimentary since he lacked the ability to read Latin, which was fundamental to scholarly pursuits during that era. But that really didn’t matter. Whatever education he had, Titian was committed to sharpening his skills in that apprenticeship - so much so that a few years later he got hired by Giovanni Bellini, who was the leading artist of his time and the official Venetian state painter.
In the pursuit of mastery, practice is not merely a means to an end, but rather the lifeblood of growth and excellence.
Step Into Unchartered Territories
Titian, Assumption of the Virgin, 1518. Oil on panel. Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, Venice.
Embracing the challenge to do what no one else has done invigorates your journey, propelling you toward uncharted territories of achievement and fulfillment. In a world saturated with conformity, it's those willing to pioneer new paths who leave an indelible mark. So don’t merely follow in the footsteps of others, but instead, boldly carve out your own destiny.
Titian began his solo career in Venice in 1510, and established a studio managed by his brother Francesco. Knowing that Bellini’s official painter status gained him enormous monetary benefits and tax exemptions, as well as unparalleled connections with powerful people and spectacular projects, beginning in 1513 Titian had tried through several written petitions to the Council of Ten (one of the two major bodies of government in the Republic of Venice) to get a series of commissions to paint decorative works in the Council Hall. His first attempt was not granted, but it got him noticed. Three years later, upon Bellini’s death, 26-year-old Titian became the official painter of Venice and retained that title along with all the benefits for 60 years until his death in 1576.
The year 1516 proved to be a radically important year for Titian that launched him into stardom. Not only did he become the official painter of the Republic of Venice, but a priest in charge of the Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari commissioned Titian to make the altarpiece. The result was groundbreaking: the format itself, soaring over 22 feet in height, rendered in oil on 21 horizontal poplar planks, stands as the largest wooden-panel painting in the world and is a pivotal altarpiece in European art history.
When the work was finished in 1518, “Assumption of the Virgin,” also called the Assunta, was unlike anything seen before. Titian added drama with intense colors, and conveyed it even more through the Apostles' restless demeanor, signaling a departure from the serene, contemplative saints typical in Venetian art as established by Bellini. Titian also erased any background, so it seemed as if the ascension was happening in the Basilica itself. Because the Assunta was so bold and different, word got out about Titian’s colors and style, and commissions started to pour in from everywhere.
Much like Titian did with the Assunta, it is through venturing beyond the familiar confines of comfort that you can unlock new realms of possibility and potential.
Relationships: The Cornerstone of Success
Titian, Bacchus and Ariadne (1522–1523). Oil on canvas. This is one of a cycle of paintings on mythological subjects produced for Alfonso I d'Este, Duke of Ferrara, for the Camerino d'Alabastro – a private room in his palazzo in Ferrara. Permanent collection of the National Gallery in London.
It doesn’t matter how good you are at anything, but without strong relationships in your business or career, you won’t go far. Beyond mere transactions, good relationships foster trust, loyalty, and collaboration, serving as the bedrock upon which prosperous ventures are built. In a world where having satisfactory and positive interactions is paramount, prioritizing relationships is not just beneficial—it's vital for sustainable success.
What Titian learned in Bellini’s studio wasn’t only technical skills, but also business acumen, including the power of using relationships to move him forward. Titian’s dexterity as a painter is unparalleled in history, but without his shrewd ways with people he wouldn’t have gained as much fame and fortune.
Upon completing the Assunta, Titian's renown quickly reached the ears of political and religious figures across Venice, Rome, Naples, Ferrara, Madrid, and Augsburg. Unlike other luminaries from the Renaissance, like Michelangelo who was known for frequent temper tantrums and confrontations with popes, or Leonardo da Vinci whose social awkwardness kept him mostly in solitude, Titian was a master of relationships and became the first artist in recorded history who had more international patrons than local ones. Not because the locals didn’t want him, but because he simply couldn’t refuse saying yes to clergy, nobles, and emperors outside Venice.
It was Titian’s talent and his charm which helped him gain the attention of Alfonso d'Este, Duke of Ferrara, painting a series of mythological works for him. This success led to engagements with other northern Italian princes, such as Federigo Gonzaga of Mantua and Francesco Maria della Rovere of Urbino. In 1529, Federigo introduced Titian to Emperor Charles V, marking a turning point in his international career. In 1530, he commenced painting for the emperor, marking the beginning of a 26-year-long royal patronage. This association not only solidified Titian’s status but also facilitated connections with nobility from other affluent regions.
What would have Titian done without leveraging each one of these relationships? As you navigate the complexities of your career, never underestimate the power of a strong network of people to propel you forward, inspire innovation, and forge enduring partnerships that stand the test of time.
Survival of the Fittest
Titian, Venus of Urbino, 1534. Oil on canvas. Permanent collection of Uffizi Gallery, Florence.
Nobody said it better than Charles Darwin: “It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.” Just as organisms with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce in nature, people that innovate, adapt, and evolve are better positioned to succeed amidst competition.
As artistic trends shifted and patrons' preferences evolved, Titian demonstrated a remarkable ability to adjust his style and subject matter to meet the demands of the changing times while still maintaining his artistic integrity. This versatility allowed him to remain relevant and influential throughout his career, a lesson that can be applied to any field. He excelled in various genres, including portraits, religious works, mythological scenes, and landscapes. His ability to adapt his style and subject matter to suit the preferences of his patrons and the demands of the changing times demonstrated his exceptional talent and artistic range.
Titian's fame soared over the decades, his mastery of color showcased brilliantly in pieces like the Danae series and the reclining Venuses, notably the Venus of Urbino. Renowned for his fleshy nudes, he showcased remarkable elasticity, effortlessly transitioning between religious and secular subjects.
Whether painting royalty or beasts, his attention to detail and fluid brushwork remained unmatched, tackling Madonnas and prostitutes with equal flair and finesse. In his later works, Titian embraced loose brushstrokes and expressive paint application, occasionally incorporating finger techniques. This approach imbued his art with a dynamic fluidity and emotional depth unmatched by his contemporaries.
Many historians have emphasized that Titian’s contributions and innovations in the field of painting can only be equaled to those of Picasso some 400 years later. His influence has been so vast that artists like Sir Anthony Van Dyck, Johannes Vermeer, Peter Paul Rubens, Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres, Eugène Delacroix, Diego Velazquez, Nicolas Poussin and Édouard Manet, among many others, emulated Titian one way or another as a form of homage.
Mastery through practice, stepping outside of your comfort zone, nurturing your relationships, and embracing a mindset of flexibility and resilience - regardless of when or where - are habits that will always empower you to thrive in the face of uncertainty, seize new opportunities and overcome challenges with agility and grace. By honing skills such as acute observation and emotional intelligence, you can fortify your ability to adapt to diverse situations and emerge stronger and better equipped to navigate the complexities of modern life.