A Cyclopaedia of Female Biography/Tintoretto, Marietta
TINTORETTO, MARIETTA,
Was born in Venice, in 1560, and was instructed in the art of painting by her father, Giocomo. She showed an early genius for music, as well as for painting, and performed remarkably well on several instruments; but her predominent inclination to the art in which her father was so eminent, determined her to quit all other studies, and apply herself entirely to it. By the direction of Giacomo, she studied design, composition, and colouring; and drew after the antique, and finest models, till she had obtained a good taste and great readiness of band. But though she was well qualfied to make a considerable appearance in historical, she devoted her talents wholly to portrait-painting. Her father, who was accounted little inferior to Titian, if not his equal in that line, took great pains to direct her judgment and skill in that branch of art, till she gained an easy elegance in her manner of design, and an admirable tone of colour. Her pencil was free, her touch light and full of spirit; and she received deserved applause, not only for the beauty of her work, but for the exactness of resemblance. Most of the nobility of Venice sat to her; and she was solicited by the Emperor Maximilian, Philip II., King of Spain, and by the Archduke Ferdinand, to visit their courts; but such was her affectionate attachment to her father, that she declined these honours, and continued at Venice, where she married; she died in 1590.