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From the archive: Anybody want to buy a ‘Titian'?
From The Times: June 24, 1925
We understand that Sir Joseph Duveen, after negotiations extending over 18 months, has purchased Titian's portrait of Tomaso Contarini (1547-1604) from the Giovanelli Palace in Venice, and that the portrait is now on its way to England. The portrait was on the list of pictures which could not be exported without the express permission of the Italian Government. Signor Mussolini's Cabinet is apparently more tractable in these matters than some of its predecessors, and it is realized that the sale of old masters has its material compensation in bringing large sums of money into the country. The purchase price of this Titian portrait is put at £45,000, from which a duty to the Government has to be paid. In addition to this, the vendor handed over to the Italian Government three pictures for public museums — one by Bellini, one by Cima da Conegliano, and one by Catena.
The portrait of Tomaso Contarini, dressed in armour, his right hand holding a baton, his left resting on a casque, has apparently been in the Giovanelli Palace for countless years. Possibly the two families were related. The picture is fully described in Lafenestre and Richtenberger's 'Venise', in the series of volumes dealing with the pictures in various Continental galleries, published in Paris about 1890. It is also catalogued in Mr Berenson's book on Venetian painters.
Tomaso Contarini belonged to one of the greatest and most ancient of Venetian families, some eight of whom held the office of Doge from 1043 to 1684, while others have distinguished themselves as soldiers and statesmen, and one was a cardinal. Tomaso was among the few patricians who travelled, and who, as Molmenti puts it, shook off 'the prevalent sloth'. In 1597 he pronounced a funeral 'oration' on Francesco and congratulated the latter's brother, Ferdinando, Grand Duke of Tuscany, on his election to the ducal seat. In 1588 he was in Spain with Philip II, and later took a prominent part in suppressing the pirates who infested the Republic of Venice. Abandoning a secular career, he entered the Church, and held high offices. He drew up an account of Germany which appeared two years after his death.
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