"Christ with the Tribute Money."

TITIAN, 1477-1576. DRESDEN GALLERY.

The most finished and beautiful of Titian's earlier works, or rather one of his most worthy efforts of any period, is "Christ with the Tribute Money." It was painted for the Duke of Ferrara, and is now in Dresden. It is considered by art critics to be the finest head of Christ in art. Everything combines to produce the noblest effect. To the Godlike beauty and calm majesty of Christ, as his lips seem parting with the words "Whose is this image and superscription?", while the fingers gracefully point to the coin in the rough hand of his tempter, the contrast of the cunning Pharisee is admirable. "Nowhere else," says Vasari, "is so perfect a contrast worked out as in these figures. The one exhibits in softness and fairness of flesh, in the sublimity of expression, of attitude and movement, a Being elevated beyond human life and thought, confessed a God. The other a sharp and crafty profile, a rough, weather-beaten face, which expresses the coarse delight of a debased nature when it thinks it has foiled a higher." This picture has commanded the admiration of nearly four centuries. Such a work as this confirms the tradition that Titian kept a cluster of grapes hanging in his studio. It was an inspiration to have ever before his eyes that ideal of grace and beauty alike in form, grouping, color and shading.