Events

Bartolomeo Veneto and the Beginnings of Portraiture 

Portraits. Today we take them for granted, but from the fifth to the fifteenth century - for much of medieval history - discrete portraits of individuals were a rarity, a form reserved for rulers and historic figures. Only in the fifteenth century did European artists, working both north and south of the Alps, once again begin to produce independent portraits of men and women. 

Bartolomeo Veneto began as a painter of small, devotional paintings, working in the northern Italian regions of the Veneto and Lombardy. He changed his subject matter to suit his patrons and as the interest in portraiture grew in Venice, his portraits became quite popular and fashionable. Join Timken Docent Elinor Merl for virtual talks about portraits in the Timken collection. 

This lecture series celebrates portraiture, taking a look at the works of Bartolomeo Veneto in 16th-century Italy, Anthony van Dyck in 17th-century Britain, and John Singleton Copley in 18th-century America. 

Timken Docent Elinor Merl grew up in New York City where she took advantage of the art museums and other cultural institutions the city has to offer. Upon moving to San Diego fifteen years ago, she became actively involved with the Timken and Mingei museums where she trained as a Docent. Elinor loves conveying her joy in art to guests of our museums, developing tours that bring the art ’to life' for the visitors. Elinor spends her other time attending concerts, traveling, and doing various volunteer work, including Meals on Wheels, counseling the elderly about their Medicare options, and tutoring grade school children with their reading skills.