Portrait of Giacomo di Andrea Dolfin c. 1531

Titian painted this portrait of Giacomo di Andrea Dolfin in Venice, at a time when the city was at the height of its economic and political power. The image creates meaning through visual codes. The sitter’s fur-lined robe, the ring on his finger and the note he is holding identify him as a man of wealth and status. These visual cues tell us about the importance of family lineage in Venetian society. As such, portraiture in Venice became an important tool for self-promotion, helping patrician families cement their position in the city’s complex social hierarchy. To understand this artwork better, it is helpful to consider the role of the Venetian state. A close look at archival records might reveal the political activities of the Dolfin family. Perhaps such research could tell us what public role this portrait was meant to play.