Doge Andrea Gritti
Artist: Titian (Venetian, 1488/1490 - 1576)
Date: c. 1546-1550
Medium: Oil on canvas
Collection: National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, United States
Description
The Gritti family in Venice was one of the "new" noble families of Venice, as opposed to the "old" great families, who had been noble since the city's foundation. However, it belonged to the Venetian nobility from 1200.
One of its most prominent members was undoubtedly Andrea Gritti (1455-1538), who, in addition to his many intellectual and commercial talents, was also Doge of Venice at the age of 68, from May 1523 to December 1538.
He started out as a successful merchant in Constantinople and transitioned into the position of Bailo, a diplomatic role. He was arrested for espionage but was spared execution thanks to his good relationship with the Ottoman vizier. After being freed from imprisonment, he returned to Venice and began his political career. When the War of the League of Cambrai broke out, despite his lack of experience, he was given a leadership role in the Venetian military, where he excelled. After the war, he was elected doge, and he held that post until his death.
